THE COAL MINERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 August 1921, Page 5

THE COAL MINERS.

INSIST ON NATIONAL AGREEMENT. HINT OF TROUBLE. B> Telegraph —Press Association. Wellington, August 4. Mr. Arbuckle, of the Miners’ Federation, in reply to the mine-owners’ refusal to consider a renewal of the national agreement, States that the Federation will not consider local agreements. The miners Will fight to the last ditch before giving up the national agreement, which was only brought about after the I negotiations had cost the Government, I the miners and the owners, much money. ’ Now the owners are refusing to continue the form of agreement under which the I industry has been more settled than j previously. There can only be one reason for the I owners’ present attitude, namely, the > separation of the miners’ unions, and i the bursting up of the Federation, so that the owners will be able to defeat the unions singly and enforce the old conditions, which were a disgrace. A preliminary conference, such as proposed, would be fruitless, as the miners had ali ready decided to stand or fall by the national agreement. Mr. Arbuckle reiterates the request for another conference to consider a renewal of the national agreement. The miners will cease work if the Arbitration Court makes awards over-riding the present national agreement. Wellington, Lart Night. The acting-Premier, approached regarding the declaration in regard to the miners’ policy in opposition to local agreements, made by Mr. Arbuckle, said: “I cannot make, any statement in regard to the general question. I am. only concerned so far as the Government mines might be affected, and outside them matters rest between the miners and the mine owners.”

Mr. Arbuckle, interviewed by a report er, said no Miners’ Union would be represented at Conciliation Council proceedings. ignoring the proceedings, and should the Arbitration Court attempt to make an agreement or award over-riding I the existing agreement the miners were i fully prepared to cease work. They ' would be prepared to fight for an ex- ! tension of the present national agree- ; ment, with sueh alterations as might be deemed advisable. THE SOUTHLAND DISPUTE. Dunedin, August 4. The assessors for the Miners’ Union in the Otago-Southland dispute, in which the men were cited by the employers, did not appear before the Conciliation Council this morning. The Commie* sinner, Mr. Hagger, said he would advise the unions to appoint assessors, ami if they , did not, he would himself appoint them, and if they did not turn up the dispute would go before the court as a no recommendation. Mr. Bishop, acting secretary for the Min? Owners’ Association, said he had been notified by the Federation th it it would not recognise the Arbitration Court. The owners’ only reason for seeking indivldml agreements wai that they found it impossible to make arrangements any other way, the conditions being, different in the various mines. The sitting was adjourned till August 23 for the commissioners to .act as indicated: