THE MINERS' TROUBLE.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 September 1918, Page 4

THE MINERS' TROUBLE.

JTEE CONFERENCE. r By Telegraph.—Press Association,. Wellington, Laßt Night. Now that all the striking miners* unions have agreed to go to work at once it is certain the conference will be held. The date is still to be arranged, but probably it will be next week. WESTPORT MINES WORKING. Westport, Sept. 2. The so-called strike has fizzled out, and all the mines are working to-day. The coal exported last week amounted to 3000 tons,' compared with an average of 16,000 tons. BLACKBALL AND PAPAROA RESUME Greymouth, Last Night. A meeting of the men engaged at the Blackball and Paparoa mines was held this morning, it being ultimately decided, by a large majority, to resume work to-morrow, pending the result of the conference with the coal-owners. In a short chat with a Star reporter this afternoon, Mr. Semple said that on account of rumors prevalent regarding the attitude taken up by the executive and officials of the Miners' Federation regarding the dispute he wished to say that the criticism was exceedingly unfair, and there was a misunderstanding regarding the finding of the recent congress. The executive right through had loyally obeyed the. instruction? of the congress, and the officials had obeyed the orders given them by the executive. In making this statement he would defy contradiction. Right through, the executive had endeavored to, bring about a conference with the coal-owners, and this was the reason why after the ballot was taken seven days' grace was given to the Government and the coalowners. The present negotiations were the result of the executive's efforts, and they hoped that the negotiations woufcl lead to a settlement of the dispute, flot only in the interests of the rninZrs, but also of the general public, some consideration. It had been freely stated that the executive was not representative of the unions, and that the unions that had ceased work would refuse to accept the executive's advice to return to work, Such was not the case. In all cases the union had accepted the executive's advice, and were returning to work, showing that the federation was really representative of the miners and of the unions to which they belonged, Mr. Semple paid a tribute to the manner in which the Minister of Mines endeavored to bring about a settlement. He had acted exceedingly fairly in the dispute so far, and the miners and general public should be deeply grateful to him for the way he had worked to prevent the dislocation of industry.. A conference with the owners will take place at an early date, and it is hoped an amicable settlement will be arrived at. The unions have resumed work under the executive's instructions. The Blackball and Paparoa miners resume work to-morrow. The members of the federation executive left for Wellington to meet the coal-owners.