THE COAL CRISIS

Hokitika Guardian, 20 January 1921, Page 4

THE COAL CRISIS

' „ I * ! :~l j(V TKl.KOltAl’H —I’IIKSS ASSN., COPVJMUHI

TH E 1 ’OSITION EASIHR. WELLINGTON, January 19

In reference to the strike threatened the Wellington Branch of the E-F. and' C. A. stated that the negotiations had been proceeding for some time. Mr McVilly was warned last Wednesday that the position was serious, arid a motion was carried on Sunday in the absence of any communication from the Department. To the deputation yesterday, Mr McVilly sympathised with the men in the quality of the coal they were called upon to handle, but complained of the time allowed for a reply to their demands, which was too short, but promised to give an answer at midday on Saturday. The'men state that they sympathise with the Department in.its diffifcuTtiei, and have no desire to make capital out of' the 1 present position. They want, to he as loyal to the’public arid Depart ment as they were during the 1 Xmas holidays, when tlicy ran 'the big trams to time despite the inferior coal.

SETTLEMENT DENIFD. GREYMOUTH, January 19. The .rumour that the miners’ disput is settled is entirely unfounded. The secretary of the Blackball Miners’ Union, who is in constant communication with the Secretary of the Miners’ Federation, states he knows nothing of any settlement. There is a rumour in Blackball that some of the directors of the Blackball Coal Company are in town, but the Union Officials have seen nothing of them. When the Union, officials approach flic Manager of the mine with a view to a settlement of the dispute, they are told that the matter is in*the hands of the Employers’ Federation, a.id when instructions are received they will he acted upon.