THE COAL STRIKE.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 April 1917, Page 5

THE COAL STRIKE.

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT. PROPOSED CONFERENCE. By Telegraph.—Press Association. , > ■ Wellington, Last Niglit. Sij- Tames and the Hon. D. W. S. Mcdonald met the mine owners yesterday and to-day, a..d discussed the question of another conference with the miners \j wages and working conditions. Sir Jamei says a conference will he held. The last conference waa abortive, because the men asked an increase of 17% per cent, in wages in addition to a war bonus of ten per cent., and other concessions. He expected a conference of owners and miners would be held within a .fortnight, as stipulated in an agreement on wliicn the strike terminated.

NORTHERN COAL MINES. Auckland, Last Night. Work is nuw proceeding at all the mines in the. Waikato, and lnincrt at Waipa are resuming to-day after being on strike since April 10. MINERS FIND JJEW GRIEVANCE. Greyinmith, April 2li. All work at the State mines was suspended to-day as a protest against the new regulations witli regard to workmen's tickets available between Ilnnanga and Dunollie to tho Rewanui mine. Formerly these tickets wore available for a fortnight. Now tickets issued to expire May 8 expire on Saturday next, the 28th inst., tho railway giving no guarantee regarding future conditions. Wellington, Last Night. Regarding the Stato Mino, Sir James Allen says he believes the men are returning to work to-day. Greymouth,. Last Night. . The Runarga miners' executive was in touch with Wellington to-day, and held a meeting to-night, when it was decided that they would not resume work tomorrow unless the Railway Department'« attitude regarding workers' tickets is 'changed. Referring to the telegram from Greymouth, Sri James Allen states that he cannot understand the men leaving work for such a cause as stated. It is inconceivable that the men should do such a thing.