COAL MINES DEADLOCK
COMPULSORY CONFERENCE A QUESTION IN THE HOUSE The coal mines trouble was mentioned •again in the Houso of Representatives "'yesterday: , . The member for Avon (Mr. Russell) asked the Prime Minister -whether he would stato to tho Houso what was being done with a view to ending j tho! trouble. ' All were aware of tho present policy of go slow. Hβ had been approached by gentlemen representing "Very large'labour interests, representing •"very'•large numbors of workers, rind .'these , gentlemen had suggested that if 'another conference wero called tho gq-'_-elowc*polioy would ceaob at once. The ■suggestion had been made that this con'"ference'should not be merely a meeting of mine owners and minors, but that it . be more likely to be successful fif the 'conference wero enlarged to iuXdude shipping interests and other users ; of coal, , tho fanning interests, tho gene- i ral public, and others. No doubt a great deal would depend on tho gentlo- . .man appointed to, act as chairman, but] ,;,the .Labour people would bo very glad J to accept anyone tho Government might consider desirable. Hβ was informed that there was a sincere desire on the part of Labour, not necessarily on the part of the coal miners, but the great body of-.w.Qrker-g, -who realised that they were dependent on coal for the continu-.-vanoe, of . all * industry ' that 'by every "means a settlement of this dispute should be" sought.
' Mr. Masscy said that communications had been passing between the leaders of the miners and himself with regard to the present unfortunato position, but he did not think, it would bo wise to niako the subject of those communications nublic at the'present time. Ho was quito willing that a conference should take place, but he was in doubt as to whether any good would bo done by calling a conference and : compelling the parties to a'ttend; ! Mr. Russell: Will you tako the initia- ' the? ■ .'' Mr. Massey said' that he had been asked to appoint a' chairman to this conference. He had thought of appointing one. of'tho Conciliation Commissionehs, any of whom -would be .most suitable for the duties. He repeated that he was quite willing that thero should be a conference, and he would consul.t with ■the head of the Labour Department as to i 'what more might be done by the Gov- ' 'erriment in the matter. It was his earnest wish that tho present deadlock should be loosed at the earliest possible moment, but he did not wish to be forced into the position,of having to consent to a'.heavy ..increase in the cost of living. . Even,,the.-present offer of the coal mine owners 'wild involve some little inorease in the cost of living, and he would not like to see this increase substantially exceeded.
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Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 303, 18 September 1919, Page 6
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456COAL MINES DEADLOCK Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 303, 18 September 1919, Page 6
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