THE BANNED "POPPER"

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1498, 22 July 1912, Page 6

THE BANNED "POPPER"

FURTHER DESCRIBED. "DAY COMING WHEN MINERS WILL WELCOME IT." Wr Telecraph.—Press Aaioclatlon.l Auckland, July 21. For sever-i 1 weeks some hundreds of miners havo been idle on the Reefton field, bacauso they will not accept the proposals of their employers that one man can safelv work a popper drill. The present position is that the companies concerned have agreed to submit tlie question to arbitration. This advance towards a settlement of the dispute has resulted from a conference between the New Zealand Gold Mine Owners' Association and the Minister for Labour (tho Hon. '\Y. F. Massey), reported m The Dominion on Saturday,

The president of tho association (Mr. Charles Rhodes) hns returned from ■Wellington, and, to-day, he gave a reporter some further, information, regarding tho machines which are at'the bottom of the trouble. Ho .stated that the alleged disabilities of tho machines havo been altogether exaggerated. The fact is, that the one-man drills are so light, and so simple in construction, that their manipulation is easy. "They weigh only 701b.," said Mr. Rhodes, "and I am able to produce men who can work two drills at the same time—one by each hand. Of course this would be in' a favourable place, where the machines eauld be set up close together. I am also certain that I can find a woman who can run a popper drill, so that it is clear that'tho actual working of the drill is not onerous for any practical miner "

"Then as to the dust bogey. It may be true th.it the men have permitted the drills to raise dust, but, if so, they have done so in contravention of the mining regulations, which' provide that a spray ».-.ust be at hand for use -with, all drills. As a matter rf fact, the inspectors of mines fee that this requirement is provided, though I have known ca-scs where miners have refused or neglected to use tho.spray when it was actually at their very elbows.

"Another objection made against running drills single-handed is that the men have, to work alone. That is not the «isd, for I.know of no instances in New Zealand where tho driller's mate is not working close by at some of the various work that has to be done as well as drilling, so that, in case of need, one man is bandy to the otter. "The real reason for the miners' objection is that tho popper is so handy that thev fear that it will reduce the number of men required. As has happened in many other industries, a 'contrary.result will.follow the uso of laboursaving tools.. In mining, a reduction in cost means an increase in the quantity of ore within tho payable limits, so that more men are necessary to break it out. Though the poppers simplify the work, unci make it. easier, the men will not he asked to wdrk them without obtaining their share of advantage. Ono shilling per day is added to their wages, which is equivalent, to a rijcof ten per cent.—a very substantial increment. Contractors, who are left to decide for themselves, do not hesitate to make full uso of one-man drills—very'much-to their own advantage. "I-. am verv. certain that tho New Zealand miners* are q'uito as ready and as able to adapt' themselves to. the use. of these drills as • Mexicans, Italians, and Chinese, who now operate the popper drills iii -Mexico, tho States, and South Africa, while British miners use them in scores nf mines in Australia. The time, in fact, will come when- miners will insist, on being supplied with these light drills to relieve them of tho labour ol striking with hammers in the old-fashion-ed way, which they will then describe as 'Irein"' good enough only for the Dark Ages, bnt not for men with modern labour and sweat-saving ideas.'"

AUSTRALIAN AID. . (Rec. July 22, 0.50 a.m.) Sydney, July 21. The, Board of Delegates of tho Newcastle miners has decided that members shall pay sixpence per man per week in support of the W-aihi men.