THE COAL TROUBLE

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 141, 10 March 1919, Page 4

THE COAL TROUBLE

MINERS TAICING ACTION. The trouble in the coal industry arising from a dispute at the Blackball mine has reached a now stage. Meetings of miners have been held at the various mines and the decisions that have been reached may bring about a critical position. The mon employed at the State mine are reported to have dccided upon a "go slow" policy, starting from today. Possibly this threat will not be carried into effect; but the situation is causing some anxiety. Tho trouble began at the Blackball mine, where the men working 011 the faoo demanded that they should be relieved from a portion of tho work normally performed by them. The employers objected on the ground that ths change would not merely increase the cost of getting coal, but would seriously curtail production. The matter was referred to a distriot disputes committee, in accordance with the arrangement made last year for the settlement of disputes in the ooal trade. This committee met in Greymouth last month, but failed to reaoli agreement. The dispute was referred then to tlx National Disputes Committee, which mei in Wellington over a fortnight ago. Thil committee, whioh represents the coal owners and the Minera* Federation, did not reach agreement. It is 6tated thai the original dispute was complicated bj the question of reinstatement of certain men at Blackball. STOP-WORK MEETINGS. Br Teleeranh—Press Association. Greymouth, March 8. A stop-work meeting was held at the State mine, also at Blackball and Papa, roa. to congider the dispute at Blackball. It is reported that similar mejiings will be held at all the mines in the Dominion. A "GO-SLOW POUCX. Greymouth, March 8. The Paparoa miners decided, by 18 votes to 4, not to strike. The State miners decided on a "goslow" policy, to be put into operation on Monday,