"NO LETTING DOWN"

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 174, 25 July 1942, Page 6

"NO LETTING DOWN"

COAL PRODUCTION

MINISTER AND OWNERS

" I refute your statement that we have let you down," said Mr. A. Hayward, representing Glen Afton Collieries, at yesterday's coal production conference when replying to a statement by the Minister of Mines, Mr. Webb, that the coal mine owners had let the country down by their lack of initiative in not providing adequate housing accommodation for the miners.

Mr. Webb: You may deny it bu you cannot refute it.

Mr. Hayward said his company had built four houses and purchased two, and had obtained authority from the parent company to construct an additional 20 houses. Hardware and other requirements had already been purchased. Tenders had been"called for the houses, and the lowest tenderer had intimated that he could only build one house at a time, and the men on being consulted bad said that they would be satisfied for the houses to be constructed one after the other. A good class of house was proposed. The comparv would not agree to anything in tr.e nature of hovels.

The extreme emergency for the erection of houses had only come since Japan entered the war. The railways were now requiring a far greater supply of coal than formerly, Mr. Hayward continued. He accused the Mines Department of delay in giving approval for the erection of prefabricated houses. He reminded the Minister that after the war production would ease up because there would not be the same demand for coal as there was now. He repeated his statement that the owners had not let the Government down and were prepared to comply with the Government's request. Difficulties Encountered The chairman of the Auckland Coal Mine Owners' Association, Mr. H. Morpeth, said that most of what had been said by the Minister in respect to accommodation was correct. The owners had found difficulty in arranging for materials for house building, and the plans they had obtained at first were considered unsuitable on account of non-per-manency. Six weeks ago new plans were approved and the owners were awaiting authority to go ahead. Mr. F. M. Winstone, representing Taupiri owners, said there had been a misunderstanding between the Minister's ideas and those of the owners. His company was ready to start construction. "All the mine owners are in the same position — they want to get on with the job," he added. Mr. E. W. Alison complimented the Minister on the clear statement he had made to the conference. His company was prepared to do everything possible to provide accommodation for the men. As far as the Taupiri mine was concerned, the miners were working energetically and never before had the output been better than at present. Men's Allegations Several of the delegates representing the Northern Miners' Union spoke of the inadequate housing accommodation generally in the Waikato mining district. It was alleged that men were living in wash-houses, garages and other unsuitable places: one trucker had to stay at a hotel because he had no other place at which to board. He paid £4 a week, which left him only a few shillings for himself. "Fifty per cent of truckers live in hovels, said another delegate referring to one of the mines. "Man in his primitive state did not live under such conditions," he added. "If the owners cannot give the men decent acommodation they are sabotaging production. There is no other interpretation of the position." In reply, the Minister referred to the splendid accommodation provided for tne men in the State mines. At Mangapehi during the last year the Government had built 40 houses and a hostel. There had been delay after delay on the part of the coal mine owners in respect to building. If a committee were appointed of the owners and workers' representatives arrangements could be made immediately and the work started in two or three days' time. Action Wanted "It means action, and I am hoping something can be done now," he said. Given the willingness to build, there would be no difficulty, as high priority had been accorded to housing. He suggested the establishment of a coal production council and pit committees, which he thought would lay the foundation for efficient working of the mines. It was decided to further discuss the proposals at a meeting at Huntly on Tuesday morning, when mine managers as well as owners and miners would be represented.