COAL CONFERENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 20 September 1920, Page 1

COAL CONFERENCE

(AUSTRALIAN & N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION]

FURTHER PARTICULARS

LONDON, September 18

A further official report on Friday's Coal Conference shows The miners questioned Sir R. Horne’s tactics after they had made concessions. The discussion, it transpires, revolved round the question of an increased output. Sir Robert Horno said tjiat any increase in the output of coal would ' ecessarily entail a review of the whole situation. He claimed that his idea was that fqr all the tons the miners got above a certain basis line, the miners should get a- rate that would be a direct incentive to them to hew more coal.

Mr It. Smillie said that now that the miners had abandoned their earlier claims that their two points were indivisible, the Minister was trying to take advantage of them- He now Avas try ing to make them believe that tliev were actually quarrelling about the question of an increased output. There was nothing of the kind. ’The latest reports show that a coal crisis has not yet been avoided. At Friday’s conference Mr R. Smillie asked why should the miners ,e----gin to increase their output merely for the purpose of increasing their Avages at a time AA-lien the Government was already getting the money to pay the increase conceded to the miners. As to the other proposals lie said they need not he considered. Dir Smillie added that they had recommended the M'i-i----ers’ Conference on Tuesday that a strike should take place. Sir iR.i Horne remarked that bethought it would not he difficult to find a basis on which increased wages should be obtained having relation to a larger output.

Mr Smillie added that they must refuse to consider Sir R. Horne’s proposal to set up an Industrial Board to endeavour to increase the output of coal unless an advance of two shillings Avcre given.

Sir Robert Horne said that he had ascertained that tlie colliery oAvners were willing to meet the miners to discuss the question of output. He urged miners' to meet the employers on, this question. He declared that all their efforts should bo directed to avoiding a conflict Avhicli Avould be very disastrous. He begged the miners to meet him again on Monday.

To this Mr Robert Smillie agreed. TRIPLE ALLIANCE ACTION.

LONDON, September 18

Flowing the Miners Confereneo Sir IF. IJorne and a. Sub-Committee of the Triple Alliance discussed the position. It was decided by the Alliance to hold special with each branch of the Alliance on Tuesday. A joint conference of the Alliance will be be held on Wednesday, at which the question of joint action will be determined.