A "GO SLOW" POLICY?

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3004, 15 February 1917, Page 6

A "GO SLOW" POLICY?

REDUCED COAL OUTPUT INTERESTING EVIDENCE By Telegraph—Press Assn. Hamilton, February 14. At the Military Sorvico Appeal Board to-day, when a minor nanied William Burnie, who is engaged on tho staff of the Waipa Collieries, was asked by Captain itogers, niilit-aiy representative, whother tho average output per man was as great now as it was twelve months ago, he replied, "No." Further evidence was given that the present output now is 17 tfuoks per day, whereas six months ago it was between 20 and 22. Witness could give no reason why there should be such a decrease, as the distance to the face should niako no difference. He would not say that the decrease was deliberate on the part of the men, but ho said that it seemed to he tho case. A vory large decrease had been, noticeable- since last Friday week. AVitness could not say-whether there- had been a meeting of the union at which a resolution had been adopted to restrict the output, but during the rest of the fortnight it bad fallen about one-third. It was reported that the men had been instructed not to earn more than 11s. 6d. per day. the minimum fixed under the award, the men were getting a war bonus, and were apparently putting that on to their wages and cutting down the supply of coal. In reply to -Mr. Hosser, a member of the board, witness stated that if the men earned more wages they would gob a larger war bonus. At the conclusion of the evidence of witness, tho mine manager, Mr. Thomson, said that he wished the board to understand that he was in no way responsible for the restriction. David Burnie, another appellant, examined on tho point, said that ho believed tho miners throughout the Dominion had adopted a "go slow" policy, but could not say for what reason. Ho beUovcd tho hewers and truckers were both a party to this policy, and if ho personally did securo a good place in a mine ho would be unable to make a. good cheque becauso tho coal would not bo taken away by the truckers.

Thomas Thompson, mine manager, stated that the output of his mine had been reduced by fully one-third during the past fortnight, but the actual figures were not yet available, as .there- had been no pay day since the "go slow" policy had been adopted, but he knew from tho weight sheets that the output was not normal. Ho understood that the same system was being adopted at Taupiri and the West Coast mines, and) evidently concerted action was being taken throughout the Dominion. On the Thursday before this business started the president of the Coalminers , Federation visited the mine and a meeting was held, and tho output fell next day.

Asked if he couM advance any reason for this policy, witness stated that apparently an attempt was being mado to force the owners to give the men a conference. Tho owners some seven months ago mot tho miners, who pleaded the high cost of living as a reason for some consideration. Owners recognised tho position, and granted a war bonus of 10 per cent, on the wagos earned under tho award, to operate' for tho duration of tho war and three months after. They thought tho matter was settled, but now apparently tho men were wanting some further consideration, and were earning less in order to strengthen their demands. In reply to Mr. Kosscr, Mr. Thomson stated that the award would not expire until January, next.

Continuing, witness stated that tho mon's average wage was nearly 17s. per day, with a 10 per cent, war bonus additional. Though ho had no authority for tho statement, he Delieved the men had received orders that they were not to earn more than Us. 6d. per day.

Asked as to how tho wen worked, 3Tr. Thomson stated that the mino worked full time, namely, 11 days a fortnight, and the average for the number of miners engaged] would bo over ten days per man.

The association representatives approached another mine manager who was not in Court at tho time the alove evidence was given, who said ho c-nld, so far ns his own observation went, boar Mr. Thompson's statement out, and, further, he added that the men had received explicit instructions that they were not to earn more than 12s. per day.