THE MINERS’ DIFFICULTY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2407, 23 January 1909, Page 5

THE MINERS’ DIFFICULTY.

THE TROUBLE AT HUNTLY. A UNIONIST QUIBBLE —NO STRIKE, ONLY MEN IN DISTRESS. (Press Association.) HUNTLY, Jan. 22. I he only new feature in connection with the trouble at 11 iintly to-dav is an announcement by the union .executive that, contrary / to expectations, they do not intend to call out the en-giri e-drdvers engaged in .keeping the water out of the -mine. -If the property is flooded, therefore, which is improbable, it will be by the -action of the company. Mr. •Manning, secretary of the 'union, declares the men are not on strike, and that therefore tlio outside unions- can legally help the Waikato Union. The latter are simply, men in distress, and would be receiving the charity of the other unions. General assistance from the -unions is promised by Messrs Davis and Long, Jiitoor delegates from Auckland. It is not thought that a settlement is at hand, despite the visit of the Minister of Mines to-night. There is no disorder.

ACTION BY THE MINISTER OF MINES'. - . Later. The -Hon. -R. -McKenzie, .Minister for Mines, arrived in Huntly to-night and after a conference iwith tjie Union Executive,- stated that he found tlie men very reasonable as to a proposal he put to them. If the directors of the company were as reasonable a settlement of the dispute would be arrived at. The Minister would not divulge the terms of Ibis proposal, stating that it must 'be first -.submitted to both sides.. It is understood however, that it is proposed to set up a Board of Commission of two representatives of each side, with 'an arbitrator, the men to go to work pending the Board’s decision at once. Mi; -'McKenzie will Ibe hero/again tomorrow afternoon, by which time both the union- and tlie company are expected to have come to a decision as to the Minister’s proposals.