COAL TROUBLE.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 September 1923, Page 3

COAL TROUBLE.

[l‘Y TKLEGRATII —TJ-IU TRESS ASSOCIATION.] AH NKR S’ I) ETUI! All NAT lON. WESTPORT, Sept. 20. Everything is peaceable in the mining districts. Large numbers of miners have left for other parts. More are leaving in the morning. The miners’ leaders claim that their party is solid behind them in their determination not to make the first move to meet mine owners.

.Meantime, the revenue over the railway is showing serious shrinkage. In normal times the Westport Coal Company's output from the Alillerton and Grimily mines is 2.000 toils daily. Stockton 500. and the co-operative parties 250; hut now there is only coal tiom co-operative parties coming over the railway. The train sure reduced' to two outbound and two inward daily. There is slackness on the waterfront. The pay to-morrow will show a heavy shrinkage.

The money due to the miners has liceit paid, so that they have nothing now (omiug to them from the companies. OWNERS' ATTITUDE. CHRISTCHURCH. Sept. 20. Interviewed icgitiding the stoppage in the West Coast- n ll nos. Mr T. O. Bishop. (secretary of the New Zealand Coal Mine Ov-iieis’ As-ociation) slated: “file companies concerned are all pre- !>:■ 1 :(1 to reopen the mines immediately on Ui ( . receipt of an iot ima t ion I rum the miners that they are willing t" >csll ine norma! working under ike ):"- visions of I lie Arliit rai iim ( 01111'award. No suggestion lias been received for a conference between ike par-

t:c*s. nc.r is juiv cmiiUm(‘lHh* iu*rt?ss«iry in view of the fact Unit the wages and conditions lor coal mining are fixed by an award until November IfOtli.. JR2-1. II after a resumption ol work, it is lound

that there are any matters not covered l,y the award requiring consideration ’in respect of any mine, these .an lie dealt with as provided hy clause- 41 of the award, which is as follows:—-(a) Any dispute concerning any matter not specifically dealt with in this award, which cannot he settled by the executive df the union ami the management of the mine, shall he immediately referred to the District Disputes Committee; (It) the District Disputes Committee shall consist of one representative appointed hy each side and the local Magistrate, or other person agreed upon hv the reproseuintivos. or. in delimit of such, agreement appointed hy the court, as chairman and shall deal with any matter, which has not been settled by the means provided in clause (a) , lie,eol. A majority decision of the District. Disputes Committee shall be final, and binding on all parties; (c) work shall continue until a settlement is effected of the dispute, as before the dispute arose.