STATE MISERS.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 January 1922, Page 1

STATE MISERS.

PROPOSED AGREEMENT. CREYMOUTH. January 12. Tha negotiations which have been proceeding between the State Mineis Union and representatives of the Mines Department, Messrs Kimhell and James advanced a stage yesterday, when it was reported that the draft of a tentative agreement- had been drawn up for submission to the Miners’ Union. Generally speaking, this was in accord with the recent Arbitration Court award, but there were some variations made in regard to the trucking provisions. As a matter of fact the Court’s trucking award not only increases the risk of accident, but reduces considerably the producing power of the miner and therefore his wages. The State Miners’ Union met at Runanga last night to consider the proposed terms for a agreement.

STATE MINERS’ DECISION. Last evening meetings of the State coal miners were held at Runanga and Rewanui to consider the terms proferred by the department, as embodied in the draft drawn up after the conference of the representatives of both parties. At Runanga there were over 80 members present, and the terms were fully examined and discussed, and were generally regarded as unacceptable in several respects. On a vote being taken of the meeting the result was as follows: For acceptance ° Against V*

Majority against 65 The probable upshot of the above vote, which the Rewanui meeting will probably confirm, will be a resort to the Court of Arbitration. The State miners rightly consider that if the case for the miner is placed before the Court, the award cannot but be an improvement on tlie conditions which the department seeks to impose. Meantime, work at the mines will doubtless continue. „ MILLER-TON DISPUTE OVER. The dispute 'at the Millerton Mine over the employment of men during the holidays ha s been settled. Work at the mine was resumed yesterday.