THE WAIHI MINING DISPUTE.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1189, 26 July 1911, Page 8

THE WAIHI MINING DISPUTE.

A DEADLOCK, THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS. (By Tclegraph-PreEs Association.) Waibi, July 25. Tho Oirand Junction Company's stampers,, which have not been in commission since Sat unlay, will continue In be hung up indefinitely pending a settlement of tho mining dispute. This afternoon all hands ceased work to at lend a meeting. To-night tho mine and battery closed down and it is problematical when operations will be resumed. There is at present a deadlock between the milling companies and the miners. THE DISPUTE, WAGES OF ENGINE-DRIVER'S. Delegates from the Waihi Miners' Union waited upon the mine owners' representatives on Saturday (says tho Auckland "Herald's" correspondent) with regard to the dispute between the parlies on the rate of wages to be paid to engine-drivers. The companies-' representatives informed the deputation that they would not reconsider tho matter, and that tho industrial agreement' as drawn up must stand. The agreement as signed by the companies provides for the payment of lls. per shift to drivers of large engines and 10s. per shift to drivers on small engines, and the union representatives declined to sign tho document, as drafted, on tho ground that the understanding arrived at during, the conference between the parties was that the drivers of all engines used for the winding of men should receive lls. per day. At a mass meeting of union members last week it was unanimously decided that the companies bo given one week in which to sign the agreement, and although no official information was given to tho press it was generally stated that if the mineowners failed to comply with the demand tho men would bo called out of Hie mines, or the whole question of the industrial agreement; reopened on the basis of tho original demands made by the union as to wages, etc. A further mass meeting ot the men has been convened for Tuesday evening next to "consider the companies' representatives' final decision regarding wages for men on winding engines, and other business."

"A mild sensation was caused in town ..i? , n ,; ol ; ni "K (writes the Auckland Mars Waihi correspondent on Monday) when it became known that the brand Junction battery had ceased operations, the stampers being hung up. Inonirics show that' the general manager had issued nisi ructions on Sunday aftornoon to hang up the stampers ti'll after lucsday. It is underslood that this- nclon has been influenced as a result of the present mining dispute. It is evident that the dispute has now arrived at an acute stage."