THE COAL STRIKES

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 293, 30 August 1918, Page 6

THE COAL STRIKES

SETTLEMENT PROPOSALS STILL SECRET

CONFERENCE PROBABLE

Thero is still mystery about tlio proposals which the Government has made to tho Coal Miners' Union for the settlement of the dispute with tlio coul mine owners. The arrangement Made when the owners met Sir James Allen find tho other Ministers was that no information should bo given to tho Press by anybody but Sir James Ytllen. The owners wouid probably never have agreed to such a condition had they not supposed that all the facts would be at onco made public. Tho Minister, however, considered that the stiikers ought to get the information before the public, and ho did not give it on Wednesday, although tho proposals werq telegraphed! to the miners' representatives. Yesterday the Minister was absent from his offico suffcriue; from an attack of influenza, and the information has not been, given to anybody except tho heads of the coal miners' unions.

It is understood that there will be. a conference in Wellington of the parting to the dispute, and that there will 1 e an inquiry instituted under tho Cost of Living Act almost immediately. The person or body of persons making the inquiry will have no power to vary or in any way interfere with awards made by tho Arbitration Court. The fm:o tion of tho Board of Trade is purely advisory. It must report to tho Government, and on the report the Government must decide what action, if any, is to be taken. The conference 'will have to settle the wages questbn long before the inquiry can bo concluded. » POSITION AT THE JUNES. By Association. Creymouth,. August .29. Up till 2 o'clock to-day the miners at Blackball and Itoa had not met to Nsnsnkr i\ie\ Glivenimeint) [proposals regarding a conference of mine owners and the federation, on condition that the miners resume work immediately. Official information from Blackball ia to the effect that the mines will be idle to-morrow. The State miners are working away smoothly, but are eagerly watching events till September 5, on which date they will again consider the position of the coal dispute. GOVERNMENT URGED TO ENFORCE A CONFERENCE. By Telegraph.-Press Association.

Wanganul, August 29. The following resolution was parsed by a meeting of tlie AVnnganui Branch of the Amalgamated Society-of Railway Servants last night: "That we are in full sympathy with tho request of the Minors' Union for a conference with the mine owners, and we urge the Government, in tho interests of the people, to use its full powers and force a conference between the disputing parties." .