COAL STRIKE THREAT.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 April 1920, Page 5

COAL STRIKE THREAT.

DISPUTE IN SEVERAL. MINES. By TelegTaim.—Press Anoclatloa. Wellington, April 20.'. Disputes at several of the coal mines have arisen owing to the men alleging that employers are not fulfilling the terms of the recent agreement. The difficulty seems to have arisen put of the interpretation of the clauses, and though the miners are said to be showing dissatisfaction, and settlement may be difficult, there is no reason why amicable relations should not prevail and the causes of friction beremo^ed. STATEMENT BY THE PREMIERS

"THE TROUBLE NOT &ERIOUS.* Wellington, Last Night, The Prime Minister wad asked whether he had taken any action in connection with the threatened coal mines troubift* He replied that in his opinion the trouble waß not serious, and he loped that the* misunderstanding would goon be at an end. ™

It is understood that the disagreement between the Federation of Coal Minora and the companies was in regard to tfw ■ interpretation of one of the clauses of the agreement which had to do with the payment of a minimum wage of 12s per day to men employed in faces of a where it. was not possible for them to make a living wage at the contract rate* of pay owing to the difficulty of winning coal in those places. The question arose whether this minimum of 12s «T»mM i carry an increase of a 50 per cent. or<3 no per cent, rate, a point on which til* clause was not definite.' Mr. Massey stated he had heen advised that the companies had agreed to pay at " ft 00 per cent, rate, and they were now > doing so. It j a not known exactly ■what the cause of-the present difficulty w. it has never .been officially gtated that this is the only cause of the preftnt disagreement, but if it should prove to be so, then the matter seems to hard - been settled to the satisfaction of the unions. » •