COAL CONFERENCE

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 123, 18 February 1920, Page 7

COAL CONFERENCE

EXPECTED TO FINISH THIS WEEK. The conference, arranged by the Prime Minister for tho discussion of the coal disputo sat yesterday morning and afternoon, and will resume this morning. The conference has now sat on six days, some of the meeting? extending into the evenings, and Mr. Massey has occupied the chair all tho time,- except when committees were dealing with special points referred to them by tlie conference, or when the parties had separated for private discussion. Mr. Massey stated yesterday that he thought the conference would finish this week. He hoped that the outcome would bo satisfactory. HOPEFUL WORDS. By Telegraph—Press Association. Christchurch, February 17. "I am extremely hopeful that as the Tesult of the conference now sitting in Wellington agreements will be arrived at that will bo acceptablo to both parties," stated Air. William Reeco (president of tho New Zealand Mine Owners' Association) this afternoon. Mr. Reeco had to leavo tho conferenco yesterday on account of pressing business. He Btatcd that the representatives of the Miners' Union had discussed the various points at issue without any ill feeling. Tho Prime Minister had handled tho conference with considerable tact and infinite patience, and had given six days to assist the partes in arriving at an acceptable agreement.