THE COAL STRIKES

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 163, 30 March 1918, Page 6

THE COAL STRIKES

"FAIR CHANCE OF SETTLEMENT* On Thursday the Prime Minister and bhe Minister of -Mines had another conference with the representatives of\ the miners on the Yvtst Coast who have been on strike for some weeks. The strike situation was also considered at a meeting of Cabinet held during the day, and a definite decision was arrived at, which was communicated to the union delegates who had met the Ministers earlier, in.the'day. The union representatives returned to the Coast by the steamer leaving on Thursday, to communicate to the two sections of the men at the State. Mine the decision of the Government. A somewhat similar arrangement is to apply to the Paparoa- strike, but a representative of the Labour Department is to be present at this mine to take, it may be presumed, some part in the negotiations there. Communicating this- information on ■■Thursday, Mr. Massey said that there seemed to bo a fair chance of tho difficulties, bein;* settled. It may be taken for. gran ted that in regard to. the. trouble at the State mines the Government has told the men that they must return to work bv a certain date, and that if they failed to do so the Government would have to enforce the law apinst them. This should mean that, if the men do not go to work in about a week, or possibly earlier, the War Regulations will be enforced.