MINERS' GRIEVANCES

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 242, 18 November 1909, Page 3

MINERS' GRIEVANCES

THE STATE COAL MINES. AMICABLE AGREEMENT PROBABLE. By Telegraph.—Pres9 Association, Greymouth, Wednesday

The State coal miners have been in conference with the manager during the last few days considering a new agreement. There has been a good deal of discussion over certain points. The miners want the manager to undertake all trucking, which means taking the coal from the men at the face. The manager declines to give this concession unless a reduction is made of threepence per ton in hewagc rates to go to provide for extra cost of trucking. On Friday evening the miners held a meeting, when it was decided not to agrre to the reduction in hewage rate, and the manager was given notice to that effect. A further con for nee was held yesterday afternoon, when matters were further discussed. Humors reached town-that the ininers.intended to strike on Friday if the trucking concession were not acceded to. Mr. Bish;>p, manager, on being interviewed, said there-was no prospect of a strike, and the rumors were unfounded...; The miners wer ; . in conference with him ove r an agreement, and had not arrived at any conclusion in arranging a svstem of work at 111,, mine. There must necessarilv be some give-and-take, and if the miner* wanted the true-kill" done they should a«ree to a slight reduction in the hewauc rate. It was foolish to talk of a strikv at the present time, a> (he miners were working under the old agreement, which fell out on June 20, 1000. But the award states ''it shall remain in force iintil another agreement has been arrived at. to take its place." Mr. Bishop said he was hopeful of bein« able to arrange matters nmicablj with the miners. They had worked in harmonv for the 'past six years, and there was evcrv reason to believe they would contiiur to do so. The hewing rate reduction proposed of threenence per ton is not hard and fi>«l. anl =oni »•■'-I'llntior. might be made. The conference wilt he resumed in the morning, and the prospects of a mutual understanding arc bright.

THE RESULT OF A I Gremiouth, Last Night. The conference between the State miners and manager resumed this morning, and lasted ahout a quarter of an hour. The manager' submitted a statement, showing what the result of the proposed change in the trucking would he. The miners' representatives adjourned till to-morrow, and hold a meeting in the meantime to consider the statement. , Negotiations are being carried out in the most friendly manner. Oreymouth, Later. As a result of the meeting of miners, It was decided this evening to submit the matter fa dispute to a "ballot tomorrow morning.