MINERS AND SEAMEN

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2944, 2 December 1916, Page 7

MINERS AND SEAMEN

AND THE AUSTRALIAN STRIKE

REPLY TO SEAMEN'S UNION STATEMENT The National'Executivo of the Goalminers' Federation instructed three of its members—Messrs. P. O'Rourko, J. Arbuckle, and R. Somple—to issue a reply to tho statement of the- seamen's officials published in yesterday's papers. Following is tlio reply made on behalf of the coalminers:— , "In tho statement of the 6eamcn's officials th<j allegation is made that "flic Now Zealand seamen, being in possesion of official information that the Australian miners do not desire interference by 1 outside Labour organisations, it seems most curious - that certain persons in New Zealand should tako steps to involve tho miners, watersiders; and seamen in tlio miners' strike at this stage.' In reply to this tho National Executive of the New Zealand Coalminers' Federation, wish to , say that they along with representatives of the Waterside Workers' Federation informed the seamen's delegates that in response to a cablegram received •from tho Australian Coalminers' Federation a guarantee was given that no coal would bo supplied by the New Zealand miners that would injure the efforts of Australia for the eight hours bank to bank. A similar pledgo was also givon by Mr. R. Semple, the miners' iiational agent, while in Australia—a pledge which was subsequently endorsed by the New Zealand Coalminers' Federation. That disposes of the statement that a few irresponsible individuals had taken ifc upon themselves to. involve several sections of workers in industrial trouble. "The seamen's delegates' assertion that tho_ miners' executive was desirpus of giving only., a limited supply of coal to hospital ships and troopships, and thereby endangering life, is incorTect. Proof of this can be seen in the following cablegrams sent to and received from, the Australian Minors' •Federation prior to meeting .the seamen's representatives or the employers:— ' This cablegram was sent from S T ew Zealand on November 19, after having been approved by the ■ New Zealand Government: "Willis, Secretary' Coal Workers' Association, Rawson's Chambers, Sydney, We have granted New Zealand Government permission load Kaiapoi with coal for Albany for hosJiital ship Maheno and New Zeaand troopships only. Wire immediately _ whether > this will .affect Australian position, and whether we are at liberty to ■ agree to future supplies for such ships." : On date'Noveniber 24 Mr.-. Willis replied, as follows:— .'-'.. All right. Load coal for troop and hospital ships. "On receipt of this cablegram the New Zealand miners informed the Government of their Teadiness to load coal for such ships. ! ■'■■„" ■ "The remainder of the statement does not deserve attention or reply. ■The miners and the watersider's, knowing the seamen would be involved by any action ■ taken, and not wishing to commit them to any policy without first consulting them, approached them in a friendly spirit, and asked them to co-operate in bringing about a satis-factory-agreement. From 'the beginning to the end. the seamen's representatives refused to associate themselves with any proposal,. excusing* this awntude by stating that their agreement was on tho verge of expiry, and that they were ■ therefore unwilling to take any course that would bring them into disfavour with the shipping companies and prejudice their chances of securing improved conditions. Evidently, whilo agreeing with the object of the Axistralian coalminers'. strike, 1 they wero unprepared to take any risk""lh assisting: Their statement to the Press is nothing but a weak apology for an attitude of selfishness."