GO-SLOW IN MINES.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 September 1920, Page 5

GO-SLOW IN MINES.

PROTEST BY THE PREMIER. BAD INFLUENCE SUGGESTED. (By Wire.—Parliamentary Reporter.) Wellington, Last Night. "The whole country h getting tired of the continual stoppages of work at the coal mines," said Mr. Massey to-day, ami a chorus of "hear, hear" c«ue from the House. "I have, during the last six months, done everything possible to make masters run easily and smoothly for both the coal miners and tile people of the country, but I am sorry to have to say that up to the present the indications slight that I have not been verysuccessful," he continued. "It seems to me that, a lot of the work I have done has been practically thrown away, and it is evident that there is some influence behind what has been going on at the mines* 1 have been informed 011 the very best authority that the great 111a.iorifv nf _ the miners are thoroughly loyal, patriotic, and sensible, and t believe that 4o be the case; but they seem to be in the hands of a minority, whose influence is bad as regards both the miners and file country." Mr. Massey added that the prospects of a settlement in the northern mines looked brighter to-day than they did twenty-four hours earlier. Il!e hoped that the dispute would soon be settled, and that the Dominion would be able to get the coal it required from its own mines.

THE JIUNTLY TROUBLE. GOVERNMENT REFUSE DEMAND. FEAR OF GENERAL STRIKE, By Telegraul' —Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. Referring to the unsettled dispute at tho Waikato coal mines, Mr. J. Arbuckle (secretary of the Coal Miners' Federation) informed a reporter to-day that tie had interviewed the Prime Minister, and Mr. Massey had intimated tlmt the Government conld not see ite way clear to. grant to the men the railway concessions asked for. The owners had also refused to pay extra rates to the men for railway 'travelling. "As miiiciY, throughout New Zealand have pledged themselves 1o support the Huntly and Pnkemiro unions, the executive of I lie Federation will lie called together on 'Monday to deal with the situation," added Mr. Arbuckle.