KAITANGATA COAL MINES.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 2, Issue 70, 12 July 1912, Page 9

KAITANGATA COAL MINES.

WILL THERE BE A STRIKE?

DUNEOIN, July 3

Tho directors and manager of tho Kaitangata- Coal Company to-day visited Kaitangata and held conferences with representatives of the registered union and branch of the Federation of Labor. The. point discussed was whether the directors could recognise tho latter body, which had presented a draft agreement to govern conditions after tho expiry of tho old award on Juno 30.

The minors are divided into three camps—"Fcderationists," "Arbitrationists," and "Railsittcrs." The firstnamed claim 180 financial members, tho second claim "about 100," and the balance of 820 employoes tako no side. Tho Arbitrationists aro registered under the law of the land, and have presented a reference to govern tho whole of the workers. This the Fcderationists object to, alleging that tho Arbitrationists form only a small minority. Their own demands aro larger.

After full consultation, the directors took tho view that the company could not work under two systems and haß no option but to recognise tho registered union. This is tantamount to a refusal to enter into, an agreement with the Fodorationists.

Whether they will strike is at present doubtful. They intend protesting when tho case comes before tho Arbitration Court that the registered union is only a small minority and must not bind tho majority. A strike will depend on the decision on that point.