MINERS' APPEALS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3009, 21 February 1917, Page 6

MINERS' APPEALS

AND THE "GO-SLOW" POLICY

BOARD TAKES A FIRM * STAND

NORMAL OUTPUT A CONDITION OF EXEMPTION

By Telegraph—Press Association. • Creymouth, February $0. The Military Service Appeal Board to-day delivered the following statement with regard to coal-inining appeals :— "These appeals were made on the ground that the men were essential to the welfare of tho country in the production of coal. It is on this ground, and this ground only, that these appeals Lave been allowed. It now ap-, pears in evidence and from the Press reports that there has been a material, reduction in tile output of the mines,' and this seems to "be the result of concerted action. The exemption to I tho miners has taken the form of an adjournment of tho appeals sine die, this being tho only method of keeping them out of subsequent ballots. No condition other than that they remain in their present employment has been imposed in tho adjournments already made, but the' new development in which exempted miners appear to be participating makes it necessary for the Appeal Boards to impose an additional {condition on any exemptions made.

"The condition the board intends to impose is that the output of tlio mines must be kept up to that of normal times. Tho board will not grant exemptions on the ground that the men are required for an essential industry, only to find exempted men. deliberately reducing tho output from the mines. Cases adjouf.ned sine die may bo called up for reconsideration by the boards when circumstances or changed conditions warrant it. /We therefore propose to adjourn all these cases until the next sitting, and call up for further consideration all cases already adjourned eine die.. If it is found that this' reduction of output is continued, the board will reconsider the whole position and grant exemptions subject only on condition that the output from tho mines is kept up to the normal quantity. This condition must be observed without evasion of any kind, whether the evasion arises from the miners taking unnecessary time, from work or by reducing the normal output during working time, or by the 'go slow'"policy. As the mirters have not had an opportunity of considering 'this condition in respect to tho appeals, these cases all stand adjourned till our next sitting, and notice will bo. sent" out for the further consideration of exemptions already granted. Tho condition will apply to cases of appeal by mine managers on behalf of miners and miners' appeals on their own behalf." '