MORE MINERS TO RESUME

Chronicle (Levin), 12 September 1947, Page 5

MORE MINERS TO RESUME

I (N.Z.P.A,

—Reuter,

: Grimethorpe Men Start On j Monday

Gomrtght)

Received Friday, 10.15; am. . •• " LONDON, Sept. 11. J The Grimethorpe' miners' have- | unanimously agreed' to return- to ; work next Mofiday. They will go !back to a 21-foot shift because of ,the abnormal conditions the stqpipage has createdjn the pit. They •stru'ck because- the- Coal Board' had1 'ordered them to work a 23-foot shift. The other Yorkshire mines. !then stopped in sympathy. 1 The fact finding committeeI which was appomted on September 6 will inspect the faee after the men resume. Reuter's says it is. confidentally expected that the Grimethorpe ■miners7 decision will lead to a general resumption of work in the Yorkshire pits-. The Ministry of Fuel denies the report that the Government proposes to compel the miners to work longer hours if the miners- do not offer acceptable alternative measures of increasing production. The ' miners' secretary, Mr. Arthur Horner, said that tliroughout the negotiations the Government had made it elear that any extension, of hours should be voluntary. Mr. T. Young, the production member of the National Coal Board, announced1 a plan for development, re-organisation and 'mechanisation of British coal mnes. Orders have al'ready been placed for coal-face machinery worth £9,000,000 to cover short term development. The long term plan includes deep boring to prove new reserves and the major re-organ-isation of some pits.