TROUBLE ON GOLDFIELD

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 17, 15 October 1920, Page 7

TROUBLE ON GOLDFIELD

DISPUTE CONCERNING A DRILL'.

By Telegraph—Press Association Reefton, October H. The miners at Waiuta yesterday held a stop-work meeting and unanimously resolved not to use any drill other than, the water feed type provided for ."under the Mining Amendment Act One hun». dred and fifty men aTe thus out of work. The new drill was ordered-to be instituted on October 1. but so far there are none on this field. The' Big. River Company has reverted to handwork. The men blame the Government (or not enforcing the law. '

Greymouth, October M. Mr. Fagan, secretary of the Miners' "Union, to-day sent the following telegram to Mr. Masse? as Minister of Mines: "A grave position exists at Wai> uta f owlng to the complete stoppage- <>t mining' operations, due to the non-com-pliance of the employers with provisions tn the Mining Act re installing waterfeed root drills. The men waited for thirteen day 6 hoping that your Department, would take proceedings against the offending companies, and have now definitely ceased work rather than be placed, in the position of law-breakers. Over 200 men have been thrown out of employment, mostly' married men, including 40 miners, most of whom are in straitened circumstances. Wo respectfully submit that you should inquire wliv it has beeu possible for the Waihi companies to install over 40 of the new machines fully equipped, whilst the Reefton employers have installed none. We would welcome an opportunity of placing our position before the Mines Committee."