WEST COAST COAL MINES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2677, 29 December 1923, Page 2

WEST COAST COAL MINES.

THE WESTPORT CONFERENCE.

The “Grey River Argus” states that the Dobson coal mine has been purchased by a Christchurch syndicate, which intends'to open it up and commence active operations in the New Year. When the mine was closed a very considerable amount, it is reported, was due to thejnen for wages. The syndicate, without any legal obligation, have paid the whole of the claims due to the workmen by the defunct company. Nothing lias been made public as 10 the proceedings at the conference <>f coal miners and owners at Westport recently, hut the “Argus” has Ihe following comments: —“Where there are more than a dozen diffei‘ont points in dispute, a full agreement upon them all is not to be expected in a moment. The next best thing to a settlement is for the parties to remain in negotiation. From i he miners’ point of view, whilst the loss of wages is a serious consideration, the present is the time to hammer out a complete agreement, instead of leaving points of vital importance outstanding, without a reliable guarantee that their adjust-, ment will he resonably fair to themelves. . . . The owners have been given an undertaking that on the resumption 6f the conference, there will he submitted to them alternative proposals from the men. The interest of other workers in what terms the miners have in future to operate will depend largely the minimum rates of wages for manual and indeed skilled workers generally. , It is essential, therefore, that the settlement should be 11 satisfactory, one in this respect, as also that the improved conditions won by the miners under the late natioal agreement shall obtain again.”