MINERS’ DEMANDS.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 March 1921, Page 5

MINERS’ DEMANDS.

THREAT OF MORE TROUBLE. DEMAND FOR A CONFERENCE. ANSWER WANTED IN SEVEN DAYS. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. Serious possibilities of further trouble in the coal mining industry are threatened. The mine owners reiterated in a letter to the Miners’ Federation their refusal to accede to the request for a conference for the discussion of the miners’ demands until certain clauses were withdrawn, and the federation declines to withdraw the clauses referred to and threatens to take steps to force a conference, failing afn arrangement for a conference within seven 1 days. In a letter forwarded to-day to the acting secretary of the Mine-owners’ Association the secretary of the Miners’ Federation reiterates the decision that the miners cannot withdraw the six claims protested against by the employers. In reply to the allegation that certain statements made by him were untrue, Mr. Arbuckle? states he is prepared to donate £lO to the Wellington hospital if such untruthfulness can be proved, provided that the employers also back up their statements by a similar amount.

In regard to the real point at issue, the granting of a conference, Mr. Arbuckle continues: “Seeing that your association has rejected every proposal for a conference other than the withdrawal of the demands I have now to inform you that the federation demands that a conference be arranged within seven days, otherwise they will take what steps they deem necessary to force a conference.”