COAL DISPUTE

Hokitika Guardian, 8 July 1932, Page 5

COAL DISPUTE

MINES YET IDLE WAITING CONFERENCE OUTCOME • <s (Per Press Association — Copyright.) ( ’’ v. A HAMILTON', July 7. There were no new development at .Jointly to-day, and the mines are still idle. ~ - , ’’ <he Waikato miners are awaiting the 5 outcome of f "the conference that r.- s to»led by the Government.

There is not much likelihood of any news until after ■ that conference is held. ] i ■ •

Two lorry load 3 of camping equipment have been transported to near the Renown Mine, and accommodation for 103 men is being ■ erected there. It is not definitely, known who will occupy these tents. It is rumoured that farmers ,and others requiring coal will work the mine. '. ~

The township is very quiet, and there is no sign. of any trouble.

N.’S.W, COAL TRADE,

HELPED BY GOVERNMENT.

SYDNEY, July 7.

The New South Wales Government, with the object of aiding the State coal industry hag, 'reduced Its. freight rates on coal to the 1920 level. ’

The wharf cran© charges are also being reduced. These reductions apply to the-coal and coke that goes for shipment to the overseas markets -and also coal sold for bunkers to overseas ships. The arrangement,' however,, is temporary until September 30, but >it is retrospective from July 1. . The coal-owners: declare that it will be impossible for them to make contracts for -the three months only, and that therefore the new arrangement is not satisfactory. 1

OWNERS’ DELEGATION

AUCKLAND, July 7,

The Northern coal-mine'ownets, this morning decided to send nine delegates to the Minister of Labour’s Conference.

ENGAGEMENT OF VOLUNTEERS

AUCKLAND, July 7

The coal owners a&ate that the arrangements wer made for the opening of Renown mine before the Min- ' ister’s invitation to a : conference was received. The owners say their ar- . rangements have gone beyond tha' cancellation -stage.. It is understood that the volunteers * are-431'tners in the Waikato, wbo*vhawe some mining experience.

The Renown Company’s, manager 9aid that the mine was regarded a? one of the safest in Waikato, and .had been selected by the companies concerned mainly because of the ease with which it could be worked.

TO WORK MINE BY CONTRACT.

OWNERS’ DECISION WITHHELD

. AUCKLAND, July 8. The directors of the Hikurangi Ckml Company have, decided to work their mine by contract. This decision is announced in a. circular which was posted to the miners before notice was received of the Government’s intervention in the dispute, and in view of the .conference ■which opened in Wellington this morning, no - action will be taken until the return of the company’s, delegate. < c on consideration of the whole position,” says the Company in its circular, “the Company has decided that it will bo futile to negotiate further in regard (to a terms of employment. It has been decided to cri'l tenders for working of the mine by contract terms,;' and conditions will be prepared immediately, under which the Company will be prepared to .enter into ,a contract for the delivery of coal at the bottom of the shaft. This will enable those- miners who are prepared to work under the contract to fix among themselves the Ifjurs, condition and pay for work done, irrespective of th e Company, and should remove those matters .at present in contention between the Company and its workmen. The Company, however,intends to keep control' of the. working of the mine, and the pumping-haulage and surface workings.”