THE COAL DISPUTE

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 295, 7 September 1920, Page 6

THE COAL DISPUTE

SERIOUS POSITION AGAIN

NORTHERN MINES IDLE

The position at the coal mines is very far from being satisfactory, owing to the development of the new crop of disputes. Three of tho northern mines, Taupiri Extended, Rotowaro, and Pukemiro, wore reported to bo idlo yesterday. The men held stop-work meetings in tho morning and decided, it is stated, to press their demand for the same railway concessions as were granted recently to the State miners on tbe West Coast. Theso concessions wero grants by agreement between two Government Depnrrnienlstlie State Coal Mines Department and the Itoilway Dcpartmonb-whereas the northern.' miners are working for private companies. . The Blackball miners are continuing to go slow because two blacksmiths employed at the mine refuse to pay a union levy for the Broken Hill strikers. The news from Australia in regard to coal is not reassuring. Both miners 'and watersiders there are showing a disposition to do less -work, and this policy, bv accentuating' the shortage of coal in the Commonwealth, is making things wore difficult for New Zealand.

STOP-WORK MEETINGS HELD By Teleeiaph-PreSß Association. Auckland, September 6. "Stop-work meetings were held to-day at Huntly, Pukemiro, and Rotownro m connection with the demand for railway concessions similar to those granted to, tho men employed in the Stato coal mines. It was recently stated that the miners had intimated their intention not to go to work to-day unless theso concessions were granted. Approached by a reportor for a statement on tho position, tho secretary ot tho Pukemiro Collieries, Ltd., said that the first intimation his company had was from the secretary of the Coal Owners' Association on Wednesday lost, "Out company," he said, "has not been approached on .the matter in any way bv the. Pukemiro union or any member ofit. We understand from tho secretary of our association that our workers residing in Huntlj; demand a reduction m the railway fares from the workers' tickets rato of 4s. 9d. per week to the suburban rates of ,2s. 6d. or 2s. 3d. per week, and 'his the Railway Department has declined. It is therefor a dispute between the Railway Department and the workers. About 25 per cent, of our workers rcsido in Huntly. Many of them hav« had an opportunity of obtaining houses in Pukemiro at different times, but prefer to reside in Huntly. When a man is given employment no question is asked as to whore he intends to Teside. The Pukemiro Company is quito prepared to carry on with the workers resident there, and allow the Huntly men to follow other occupations. They voluntary come to our employment, and we cannot in any way compel them to continue in it. Onlv tlie last fortnight the miners wero granted an advance in rates which brought their average daily wage to over 30s. on the days worked."

INDUSTRIES AFFECTED. By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, September 6. In connection with the strike at Huntly, Pukeniiro, and Rotowaro mines, the cessation of work which was decided on at to-day's stop-work meetings threatens to seriously interfere with numerous industrial concerns that depend on their power from Pukemiro coal. The City Council and other local bodies will also be affected. Among the industrial concerns depending largely on Pukemiro coal are the Northern Roller Flour Mills, a number of biscuit factories and bakeries, freezing companies, dairy factories, and breweries.