COAL STRIKE

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 252, 16 June 1932, Page 5

COAL STRIKE

(Press Assn.-

minister again urged to bring parties together

-By Telegraph — Cop.yright.)

WELLINGTON, Wednesday." ^»The following telegram has been received by the Minister of Mines, the Hon. C. E. Macmillan, from Mr Randle, of the Westport Chamber of Commerce: "In reference to your telegram, of the 10th instant re the coal dispute, we have an assurance that the men are prepared to return to work immediately if a definite date is fixed for an early conference with the mine owners with a view to overcoming the present dispute. I again urge you to use every endeavour to bring the parties together." The Minister's reply was as follows: — "Re your telegram. I have> the following advice from the Mine Owners' Association: Coal owners on the West Coast have never refused a conference. They have also agreed that there should be no alteration of working terms qnd conditions on the West Coast until after a conference has been held. This assurance was repeated more than once to Messrs. Purdy and McLagan. Miners on the »vest Coast declined to wait for a conference and ceased work. Since they ceased work I have had no communication of any kind from them.' The Minister concludes. "Obviously your desire for a conference should be suhmitted to the Miners' Union, who have the matter entirely in their own hands."