MINERS' VIEWS

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 246, 8 June 1932, Page 5

MINERS' VIEWS

(Press. Assn.-

A CONFERENCE URGED

— By Telrfgra.ph — Copyright).

GREYMOUTH, Tuesday. ' The miners' views were given by Mr. W. Purdy, secretary of the West Coast Council, who states that the action of the men in striking on the coast to-day is the result of a secret ballot taken some weeks ago, when the national organisation decided by two votes to one to take strike action to resist, if necessary, the owners terms. The West Coast is a unit of the national organisation and as a result the breakdown of negotiations in the North Island affects the whole organisation. The coast previously decided to resist the owners' terms and offer reciprocal assistance to the North Island miners if necessary. The mat;ter is a national, not a district, question. - "This is the first time -in my 25 years' experience," said Mr, Purdy, "where either side has claimed the right to insist on . the acceptance of one clause in an agreement before a conference. The miners are not seeking trouble, and will be glad of any assistance, either political or otherwise, 9,5 a result of which the position might be bridged. The miners ask for an un- ' conditional conference, when all cla-uses of the agreement may be discussed. I am not hopeless regarding the outlook, and perhaps wiser counsel may •-prevail. . The miners are quite prepared to diseuss all questions, and will keep the gate open for any outside assistance to help the conferepce to be arranged." | • The State' and Grey Valley miners Swill meet to-morrow.