GO-SLOW POLICY

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 289, 2 September 1919, Page 6

GO-SLOW POLICY

AND MINERS' FEDERATION

REPLY TO MR. PRYOR

Mr. J. Arbuokle (secretary of tho Mini's' Federation) has sent the following communication to Mr. W. Pryor (secretary of tho Employers' Federation

"Dear Sir,—ln reply to your wiro of August 30, in which you state, Information received from the various mining districts indicates that as a result of advice given by tlie representatives of tho federation, it has been decided to adopt the go-slow policy.' "Further, you . suggest that my federation should take tho necessary steps to have tho dispute dealt with by constitutional means, i.e., having it referred to the Conciliation Commissioners in the several raining districts. "In reply there to I have to state that no Blich advice was given by the federation, and I have not received any information of any such'action being taken by the miners. "The dispute has been placed in tho hands of tho Alliance of Labour, and the secretary of that organisation has sent a letter to Mr. Massey, Prime Minister, asking him to conveno a conference of all partias to the dispute, with a. reprcsntative of the Government, as chairman, in order that such a conference may bring about an amicable settlement of the dispute. "Further, I wisb to state that on no account will the dispute be referred to a commisioner in any mining district for settlement.

"Tho only manner in which tho dispute can be settled is by tho national body on the lines of a national agreement.

"Hoping your organisation will take the same view in connection with this matter and call upon the Government to assist in bringing aibout a satisfactory ' settlement of the dispute, in tlie interest of the general public, who havo suffered sufficiently through the shortage of coal, and for which the miners cannot be blamed in the slightest degree. Sly organisation is desirous tbat the dispute should be adjusted with the least possible delay."

YESTERDAY'S OUTPUT AT HUNTLY. By Telegraph—Prew .Amoolstlon. Auckland, September 1. The "Herald's" Huntly correspondent states that tho output at tho Extended Coal Mine ttHlay was only 433 tons, as against the usual quantity of from GOO to 700 tons. The men only took half the usual quantity of explosives. At tho Rotowaro Mine the output was normal, namely, 275 tone. There is no change otherwise in the situation.