THE COAL DISPUTE

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 17, 15 October 1920, Page 6

THE COAL DISPUTE

PUKEMIRO MINE TROUBLE PROSPECTS OF A SETTLEMENT The possibility of a settlement of the 1 trouble at the Pukemteo mine is now ' considered to bo brighter than was the < case on Wednesday. As the result of a; conference ivith the I'ukemiro Miners' Union, Mr. P. Hally has received au-; thority to arrange a settlement with the executive of the Coal Mine Owners' As-' sociation, provided the union's sanction, iln permitting him to act is confirmed by Mr. J. Arbuckle, secretary of the New. Zealand Miners' Federation. Mr. Hally! will arrive in AVellington this afternoon 1 to confer with the executive of the asso-" ciation. Early this week, Sir. Hally suggested; to the Coal Mine Owners' Association! that it bhould agree to refer the question regarding the status of the engine-i drivers to the National Disputes Committee, providing the miners returned to' work. The executive of the association,' however, decided that, under the present' circumstances, it could not agree to tho proposal, but it authorised Mr. Hally to accept a verbal assurance from the responsible officials of the Pukemiro Union to the effect, that in the eventof a strike of the miners the engine-drivers would not leave their employment, such an understanding to hold good during the currency of the present agreement. If this undertaking was given tho mine would be reopened. a timelTarrival "ALMOST THE LAST SHOVELFUL." Had it not been for the timely arrival of a small consignment of cfcal at the Petono gasworks yesterday—the last shovelful on tl\fe premises had gone into the re-' tcrts btfore the news was received—Petone and llutt would have been without gas last night. The position is still extremely acut);, there being only sufficient ccal on hand to meet the requirements of the gasworks for 24 hours. It is hoped, however, that 'before that period has expired another shipment will have been received. Of late the gasworks have hardly ever ted more than a day's requirements on hand. "SWEET REASONABLENESS" WANTED The Prime Minister was urged yesterday afternoon by Mr. V. H. Potter (lioskill) to take into consideration the immediate stoppage of tho strike at tho Pukemiro mines. Mr, Potter said that a ballot was |in progress among the miners there when it was stopped by the aotion of the Miners' Federation. The strike was being continued to the great injury of tho people of Auckland, and the Government should give the matterconsideration, to the extent of taking drastic stops. Mr. Massey said that it was quite impossible for him to give an answer tfl the question beyond expressing the hope that the parties would come togethor and settle the difficulty. It did not seem lo him impossible of settlement. A little "sweet reasonableness" would probably result in an agreement. There was so 'little between the parties that he hoped the trouble would soon ceßse. •