HARD TO UNDERSTAND

Chronicle (Levin), 17 October 1946, Page 6

HARD TO UNDERSTAND

AUCKLAND, Oct. 16. Stopworlc meetings were held at several of the Huntly mines this morning to discuss a circular letter from the Miuiug Controller, Mr. Benney, requesting the miners to work on Labour Day iu view of the serious coal shortage. It was arranged for the men to receive treble time payment. After the meetings, which in most cases lasted several hours, many of tlie miners did not return to work, Tesulting in a big loss in output. Several oi tlie mines Avorked with seriously depleted hauds, the management of the Glen Afton aud Maedouald miues stating that the loss iu production was 500 tons duriug the time the men were out. That amount of coal would normally be produced if the miners worked on Labour Day. After the meeting at Rotowaro whieli euded at 9.25 a.m., ouly 16 out of 48 miners went back to the rnine and at Allison, where the meeting finished at 10 o'elock, five of 48 miners returned to work. Ninety men, 56 of whom were miners, failed to put in an appearance at the Macdonald mine after the meeting. The question of work on Labour Day is to be decided by the miners througliout the district, according to the management of Glen Afton Collieries. The mines involved are Pukemiro, Glen Afton, Macdonald, Renown, Rotowaro, Allison aud Wilton.