COAL DISPUTE.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 February 1920, Page 4

COAL DISPUTE.

PRIME MINISTER’S COMMENTS WELLINGTON, Feb. 2.

Some public attention has been called recenty to the growing practice of holding private conferences foi; the settlement of important industrial disputes.

The Prime Minister stated bis views on this point in an interview with a deputation to-day. “Personally, I am of opinion that unless in special eases where there is some, good reason to the contrary, conferences on economic questions should be held in public,” said Mr Massey. ‘There is nothing better than public opinion to prevent abuses. At a time like this, when there is so much unrest, it is necessary to keep the public satisfied by supplying them with all possible information. Where representatives of the Government ,are present, there is not the same urgency, though even then it is generally more satisfactory to have an unbiassed report of the proceedings published. “Just at present the main question is .whether this country is to be governed by the Government and Parliament, or whether it Ls to; be governed by the wirepulling of an organisation which already has caused much hardship and loss to the community and to the country as a whole. I refer not so much to the miners as to the organisation which appears to be making use of them to their detriment. I. have never found the miners as a whole unreasonable when left to themselves, and I need hardly say that the Government and the people of tliis country are willing to treat them fairly and justly every time. This has been proved repeatedly by the offers of the Government to have the coal-mining difficulties settled by any of the methods provided by the law. I nm convinced, however, that as conditions vary so much according to the quality of the coal a flat rate as it is called is not practicable as applied to the whole of New Zealand, and, that the rate for hewing, and the conditions, must be considered for each mine separately, instead of taking an average for the mines in each island or even for lignite and hard coal. The door is open, and I hope that a settlement satisfactory to both miners and public is not far aff.”

MAYOR. OF AUCKLAND’S SUGGESTION. AUCKLAND, Feb. 2. The Mayor of Auckland (Mr J. H. Gunson) telegraphed to the Prime Minister yesterday as follows: I suggest for your consideration that the following be submitted to the parties concerned, for immediate settenient of the coal-miners’ dispute:—

(1) The miners’ demands as to wages and conditions to be referred to a special tribunal of five members, whose decision shall ho accepted by both the miners and the owners.

(2) This special tribunal shall consist of two persons appointed by the owners and two by the miners none of whom shall be directly concerned in the dispute. These shall appoint a, fifth member who shall be chairman and if they fail to make such appoitment the Government shall appoint such fifth member who shall not be directly concerned in the dispute. The Governent shall defray the cost. The miners to abandon the go-slow policy and forthwith produce the maximum output.

The Mayor adds: This would overcome the difficulties facing the Government, the owners, and the miners. The position in Auckland is such that I trust tlfe matter may be arranged immediately.