THE COAL QUESTION.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 September 1919, Page 1

THE COAL QUESTION.

THE "GO SLOW" POLICY. STATEMENT BY MINING FEDERATION. j By Telegraph.—Press Association. * Wellington, Lett tfgat The mining deadlock has reached a stage at which important developments are expected, but then is no indication that any progress has been made towards a settlement of the dispute. The National Alliance of Labor baa suggested a further conference between the parties with an independent chairman approved by the Government. Mr. Arbuckle, secretary of the Miners' Federation, has forwarded a reply to the telegram sent by Mr. Pryor, secretary of the Mine Owners' Association, in which it was stated there were indioa-' tioris that the miners intended to adapt a "go slow" policy, and in which also the suggestion was made that the federation should take steps to have the diapute dealt with by constitutional means, namely, referred to the Conciliation Coat* missions in the several mining districts. Mr. Arbuckle denies that the federation gave the men advice to "go slow." Ho says: "We have not received any information that such action has been taken by the miners. The dispute ha* fcaen placed in the hands of the AlHanot of Labor, and the secretary of that organisation has sent a letter to Mr. Massey tt3kin," him tocjnvene a conference of all parties to the dispute, with the right of the Government to appoint a chair* man, in order that such oonferenof mafe bring about an amicable Therefore, I have to state that, on no account will the dispute be referred to the Commissioner in any mining districts for settlement. The only manner in which the dispute can be settled is by a national body on the lines of the national agreement." The federation asks the Coal Mine Owners' Association to co-operate wit* it in the manner suggested. The federation asserts that the miners cannot be blamed in the slightest for the shortage of coal and .says it is desirous that the dispute be settled with the least possible jffjy-

THE ATCKLAND MlNae. ,

Auckland, Last Night The Herald's Huntly corretpontat states that tho output at tta Bstnded Coal Mine to-day wm only 481 tool, a« against the usual quantity of from 800 to 700 tons. The men only took half Out usual quantity of explosives. At the Rotowaro Mine the output IfJM normal, namely 276 tons. There is no. change otherwise in the situation.