PRIME MINISTER DEPLORES ACTION OF MINERS

Chronicle (Levin), 1 April 1947, Page 8

PRIME MINISTER DEPLORES ACTION OF MINERS

WELLINGTON, March 31. The strike means adopted in the present disagreement on the Huntly, coalfields would not advance a settlement by one minute but would cause great hardship and suffering to many innocent peojDle and much loss to the country as .well as to all imniediately involved, said the Prime Minister, Hon. P. Fraser, today. The provided and proper Ayay of settling any points of differenee was still available and must be used, he added. The Prime Minister said he regi'ctteri vej-y much the decision of the meeting of the Waikato Miners5 Union to continue the stoppage of work in face of the f'act that the disastrous results of such a decision in so many directions, ineluding the ruining of Easter holidays for many thousands oi indnstrial and office workers, ,had been made. clear to those present. "Other deplorable results which I feel could not have received that eonsi deratiujiyhey are eutitled to^ are the inevitable hafdships through a coal shortage Avhich will be added to the difficulties already experienced by so many homes as the result of the electricity supply situation, 5j said Mr, Fraser. "Even this latter circurnstance may be intensified if sonjc of the coal now used to generato electricity has to be directed tfg dairy factories, freezing wotm| and other producing plants." !p| Curtailments and delays in rail transport and interference with the work of butter an'd cheese factories and freezing works, would delay most grievously the supply of food for the people of Britain who were already bearing such tremendous and crucl burdens, eonti'nued Mr. Fraser. Hm deed, there was a danger that some of that much needed food might be entirely lost instead of being used to help to maintain the rations of the British people. "I would fihd it hard to beljeve that this decision of about one-. : third of the miners of Waikato, that being • approximately the number which attended the meeting, would be supported by a majority of the men, many of whom have close relatives suffering from conditions in Britain at this moment." Tlie * Prime Minister added: "There is an agfeement - governing wages, hours and conditions in the mines ineluding hours of work in, and payment for wet plaeeg, regarding whieh I am informed the dispute arose. There is also a constitutional legal pro^ cedure provided for the settlement of a dispute regarding the

interpretation of any of the clauses of the agreement," Mr. Fraser said he considered it his duty to place those faets clearly before the Waikato miners for earnest, sensible. and humane consideration. "5-, J!,r ■