STRIKE HAS BROUGHT THEM NOTHING

Chronicle (Levin), 3 April 1947, Page 7

STRIKE HAS BROUGHT THEM NOTHING

-Press Associacion

By Telegraph-

AUCKLAND, April 2. The Waikato Miners ' strike was brought to an end this afternooii and the .inen will return to; work' toriiorrow morning. This decision was . made at- a uiass meeting in ^he Huntly Town Hall this afternoon after the men had discussed for over two hours the proposals for a settlement in the dispute, which were drawn up at a eombined meeting of the executive of the Northern Miners! Union and mine managers Avhich was attended by the Minister of Mines, Hon. A. McLagan, and Under-Seeretary of Mines, Mr. Benney. Although the resumption of work at the seven underground and four opencast mines tomori'ow will replenish the dwindling eoal stocks to the extent of probably 3800 tons tomorrow, there will be no more coal from the imdergTound mines until next Tuesday. The miners will be observing- Good Friday and Easter Monday as holidays and an agreement made about a year ago stated that the men rnust be given two weeks' notiee if they are required to work 011 statutory holidays. It is understood 110 suggestion was made yesterday or today that this condition should be waived in view of the immediate ui'gent need for coal. It is understood the miners gained practically nothing from the strike. Events moved qiiickly at Huntly after the arrival of the Minister and Mr. Benney yesterday afternoon. They discussed the dispute with members of the union executive and mine managers for over five hours last night and there was much heated discussion before the settlement proposals were franied. It was agreed .at the meeting that they should be put to members of the union as soon as possible and it was decided that a mass meeting should be called for this afternoon. This morning the Minister ? «iid Mr. Benney conf erred , with "?the union executive and immediately afterward they left - for Wellingf ton. ;i : ' ro )i YWhen approacli ed before he -left Huntly, Mr. McLagan faid :;.'tM!y only -istatemeift 4^^ that We ..are

having very nice weather." The mass meeting began this, afternoon.. Mr. McLagan and Miv Benney were back in Wellington. Over 500 miners attended ' the meeting which was -presided over by the president of the union, Mr. R. J, Dunn. He would not make a . statement after tbe meeting, merely saying the. men., would be back at work tomorrow morning and that they woul4. not be work-. ing at Easter. It is understood .the decision to return to work was carried by a small majority — that 317 miners voted in favour of it and 212 opposed it. Coal will be 011 its. way to supply points within a few hours after the mines begin tomorrow. Reserves of empty trucks have been kept at the mines during the strike.