THE COAL INDUSTRY

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 174, 17 April 1919, Page 7

THE COAL INDUSTRY

FIRM STAND BY MINE-OWNERS

MINERS' FEDERATION MUST OBSERVE AGREEMENTS

The recent stoppages at New Zealand coal mines were considered at a meeting of the Coal Mine Owners' Association held in. Wellington, and an important resolution was passed and ordered to be conveyed to the Minors' Federation. Sir Georgo Clifford, president of the association, occupied the chair, and there was a large attendance of members. The members of the association considered the attitude of the men at several of tlie coal mines of the Dominion whero trouble, accompanied by stoppages of ■work, had been experienced. Tb* direct result had been to further diminish the output of coal. It was pointed out that the agreement entered into in September last with the executive of the Miners' Federation provided, first, that there should be no further stoppages of work; second, that with the exception of [lie payment of nn increased bonus, the existing conditions should continue in force until six months after the declaration of peace; and, third, that any disputes occurring in any of tho mines should be referred "to a District Disputes Committee, and, failing settlement by that corncommittee, to a National Disputes Committee. It was felt that the executive of the federation was either unable or unwilling to secure duo observance of the agreement by the individual unions. After the matter had been freely discussed in its various phases, tlie follow, ing motion was carried unanimously:— That tho New Zealand Coal Mine Owners' Association, having regard to . the frequent stoppages of work which have taken place at various mines in absolute defiance of the agreemont entered into with the Miners' Federation Executive in September last, hereby determiner! that, as these continual breaches of the agreement are evidence of the federation's inability or unwillingness to enforce the agreement, the association now finally demands that the Federation Executive

phould carry out its undertakings. It was resolveo: that a copy of the resolution should be forwarded to the Minister of Mines and the secretary of (he New Zealand Miners' Federation. Stoppages of work in the noal mines nave been frequent einco the present agreement was concluded last year. There , has been no general stoppage, but the local interruptions, first at ono mine nnd then at another, have had an important effect in checking the production of coal and maintaining the shortage of supplies for industrial and domestic purposes. The agreement .was concluded between the Coal Mine Owners' Association and the Miners' Federation. Formerly tho employers had dealt with tho individual miners' unions, and they made it clear when the agreement was being discussed that they preferred the old arrangement. The Min&rs' Federation contended that it had a right to speak for all the unions, and it carried its point when the existing agreement was signed. But if tho agreement should 'be made void, on account of the persistent violations, the question would be open again.