THE WAIHI STRIKE.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 March 1920, Page 3

THE WAIHI STRIKE.

INTERVENTION URGENT. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wailii, March 27. The attitude of the parties to the mining dispute continues the same. At a special meeting of the Borough Council last night it was decided that immediate intervention was necessary and it wus resolved to send the Mayor to Wellington to interview the Premier and urge Government action at once. It was felt that, unless this was done, the position would become much more serious, as there are indications that large numbers of men contemplate leaving the town at an early date. If this proved to' 1 be the case difficulty would be pvperienced in working the mines in the e\ent. of a settlement after the exodus. In consequence of the financial loss involved by the gold revenue beim: cut off owing to the strike the Borough Council has been compelled to dispense with practically the whole of its wording staff, about 40 men, including the heads of departments, being affected. a conferknctTarranged. Waihi, March 2?. The prospects of early action to bring about a settlement of the Waihi dispute are brig-liter, a telegram having been received here this morning from Mr. Arbuckle, secretary of the Coal Miners' Federation, intimating that the Premier is prepared to arrange a conference relative to the dispute, subject to the mine owners consenting to the chairman being the Conciliation Commissioner, with Mr. O'Rourke to act for the men. Mr. Arbuckle advised the. men to accept the suggestion, atid this course was adopted. It is understood the conference will be held at the earliest moment. At a special meeting of the Chamber of Commerce, the President (Mr. G. K. Mattheson) was appointed to consult with tho Premier in reference to a settlement of the strike. He, in company with Mayor Ronaldson, left for Wellington this morning.