COAL DISPUTE

Hokitika Guardian, 27 June 1932, Page 4

COAL DISPUTE

PEACE HOPED FOR AT CONFERENCE TOMORROW. (Per Press Association — Copyright.) AUCKLAND, June 25. The secretary of the Northern District Council of Miners, Mr Davidson receive^,.a telegram irem Mr A. McLagan,, secretary of the Federation of M.news’ Union, stating: “The conference i.,3 to be held without a resumption of work by the men. Otherwise it is unconditional. 'Mr ..Davidson said that this telegram meant that the owners were not insisting on the men resuming work before the conference and no stipulation was being made that the men ehould agree to the clause in the owners’ proposals regarding the unrestricted right , to engage , and dismiss men before the owners'would agree to a conference. No explanation could be given in Huntly of the denial by Mr T. O. Bishop, secretary of the New Zealand Coal Mi ne Owners Association, that the owners had agreed to an unconditional conference. Officials of the union said that they are at loss to intercept that denial,. Mr McLagan’s latest telgram, at any rate, is regarded as final at Huntly, ' F|MAUSING OF ARRANGEMENTS AUCKLAND. June 20. Arrangements were finalised during the week-end for the holding of a conference in Auckland on Tuesday between the Waikato and Hikurangi miners and the coal owners. The following telegram was received by Mr W. Davidson, secretary'of the Northern Miners’ District Council front Mr T. O. Bishop, secretary of the New Zealand Coal Mine Owners’ Association: “If your Union can give a definite assurance that the Hikurangi Branch of the Union will accept, and abide bv; any. agreement reached at the Conference as to the engagement and dismissal of men, the owners will arrange a Conference in Auckland on Tuesday; the resumption of work to be postponed until after the Conference.” 1

Mr Bishop’s message -was immediately referred to the Hikurangi Miners’ Union, wdiose secretary, Mr

C. A. Latham, replied: “My Union will stand by a majority rule, provided that it is endorsed by the Waikato Mine Workers.”

On Saturday night, Mr Davidson received the following telegram from Mr Bishop: “I ami informed by Mr A. McLagan, secretary of the Federation of Miners’ Unions, that a conference has been accepted, as proposed in my telegram to you. I am, therefore, nr* ranging for the conference to take place on Tuesdny in Auckland.” , ‘lt was stated, by Union officials today that the Glen Afton, Fukemiro, McDonald, Rotowaro, Renown and Hikurangi branches of {lie Union will be represented at the conference 1 . ARRANGEMENTS NOW COMPLETED. HAMILTON, June 27. Arrangements were completed during the week-end for holding the conference at Auckland on Tuesday between representatives of the Waihato and Hikurangi miners and coal owners. No statement has been made regarding the resumption of work, and apparently there will be no work at the mines in the meantime, as this condition to the conference is not now to be enforced by the owners.