THE MINERS' TROUBLE.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 January 1920, Page 5

THE MINERS' TROUBLE.

DEPUTATION TO THE PREMIER. I CONFERENCE TO BE ARRANGED!., i By Telegraph.—Presg Association, i Wellington, Last Night. ' A Westport-deputation to-day asked the Government to open up a new mina in the Inasgahua Valley, and build thera a good mining village, and alw talcP* railway to make the mine accessible. Too .Government wag also urged to take steps to open up coal measures' at Charleston.

It was urged on Mr. Massey that the Government must see that the miner* are better paid and provided with better houses if they are to be itljwfij to stay on the coalfields. If the present state of affaire continued for two year* more there would be no men left on the fields, and the only alternative wouM'te to work the coal with foreign labor. Replying, Mr. Massey said he believed conditions in the mines, whether State or private owned, ehould be As good a> it was possible to make them, but lie said: "We find the pistol presented at our heads, and we are told that if we don't do so and so there will be no coal. I believe a round table conference it tie best method of settling these troubles." Mr. Holland, MP.: So do the miner*. Mr. Massey: Then why dont the win* era come along to a conference?

Mr. Holland: They are prepared 4to come now. ■..':*'

Mr. Massey said if the miners fcen» ; willing to meet the Mine Owners' Unload and to be represented in proper* petKHi, by the miners, he was prepared to do all < be could to bring about a conference flaiassist to make it successful, but if the miners were not prepared to do this, it would be useless for him to ask the owners to come to a conference. If the miners would only drop the idea of being represented by an outside body—the Alliance of Labor—be thought a conference could be arranged and the difficulty nettled.