THE COAL POSITION.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 October 1920, Page 4

THE COAL POSITION.

PUKEMCRO DEADLOCK CONTINTJE& DUE TO A MISUNDERSTANDING. By Telejrajih.—Breal Auoolttlea. - Wellington, Last Night. Speaking in reply to a. Statement made by Mr. Arbuekle, Mr. Prjror (««0" retury of tho Employers' Federation), slated that the agreement made between the Mine Owners' Association and l4r, Hally, in accordance with authority given to Mr. Hally by the Union, would be insisted on by the Mine Owners' Association. In answer to a question as to whether the leaders or the men were to blime for the various troubles in connection with the coal mines, Mr. Hally said ha did not think the leaders were at l|Ult. Very often a dispute arose out of sheer misunderstanding between the nine 1 officials and the rniiieW of a partiavUr mine. The miners would hastily liold ii meeting among themselves aed down tools. Once out it would be difficult to get them to start again. "So far as the leaders are concerned— I am peaking of men such as Senmle, Arbuekle, Webb, O'Brien, and otherf of the same character—to my certain knowledge thcße men have on m»ny Occasions gone out of their way to ftop trouble taking place," said Mr. Hilly. As to the prospects of' a settlement, Mr. Hally sr'hl he believod the difficulty wa» due to a complete misunderstanding on the part of the men. He understood that there was a good prospect that in a day or two this difficulty would be removed, and then he to say the men would return to work.

FIGHT TO CONTINUE. Wellington, Oct. 19, In connection with the Pukemiro 4i»pute, Mr. Arbuckle thia afternoon stated that it had been decided to fight on ontil the union obtains a satisfactory solution of its grievances. The dispute now, he added, will in all probability bo taken out of the union's hands ana be dealt with as a federation matter and a settlement will Have to cousp through the federation.