COAST MINERS

Hokitika Guardian, 13 June 1932, Page 6

COAST MINERS

SEEK GOVERNMENT AID. (By Telegraph- Per Press Association.) GREY,MOUTH, June 13. Mr Purdy, secretary of the_ West Coast Council, 'has forwarded the following .telegram to the Minister ot Mines '(Hon. C. B. Macmdran) “The concilia-tary attitude of the mines is evidently not appreciated by the Government who remain indifferent. The miners omdi public •request’'-Government intervention.”

,Mr Purdy has received a reply from Mr Forh.es stating that lie is conferring with the Hon. C. E. Macmillan regarding the miners’ representations for an unconditional conference) r

' There are no district developments to-day, hut it is undei’stood that the New Zealand miners have cabled' Britain for , financial assistance in the event of the conference being refused, and a prolonged stoppage. HON. MACMILLAN REPLIES.-:- ' URGES RETURN TO WORK.' WELLINGTON, June 13. ' Replying to Mr Purdy's telegram today the Minister of Mines states "Replying to your telegram of to-day, T am advised that the coal owners agreed several weeks ago to confer with ' representatives ot thg West Coast coa-1 miner” unions, and 1 have no doubt that such a conference will be held at a convenient date, as there Li no dispute between . the V est Coast coal owners and the unions. 1 recommend you to urge unions,, .to resume work under the 'existing conditions in the. interests of all concerned, and, in view of the conciliatory attitude .of- the miners, 1 hope the suggestion will be carried out.

LABOUR PARTY’S REPLY. WELLINGTON, June 13. Replying ■to Mi- T. 0. .Bishop’s denial that the owners had refused to confer with the miner's about new proposals, the national executive of the New Zealand Labour Party states that there is apparently some conflict between the mine owners themselves and Air Bishop. The main point of the Labour Party’s statement was that a, conference should lie held to di scums all problems without entering into •controversy sis Ho the question of rationing work, minimum wages, and balloting to determine who is to island down. ( r

The Labour' Party’s .j&ijhL was that a. conference should Ik- '-held at once, pud that every questiup* polative to employment m the mining mdustrv should be subject to and 'negotiation at the conference. Ihe Labour Party urged, in public* interest, either that the Government or the mine owners should call an unconditional conference -at once.