LIMITATION OF COAL SUPPLIES

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 32, 2 November 1920, Page 8

LIMITATION OF COAL SUPPLIES

WHAT DO THE MINERS MAKE OUT OF IT? (Contributed by the N.Z. Welfare League.) That the coal mining industry is of first importance is made manifest by what is taking place in Great Britain, and also by our recent experience in this Dominion. Tho Government in England has evidently determined that for tho maintenance of Britain's standing as a nation, coal output must-be increased. There is need for similar action on the part of our New Zealand Government. Our main purpose, however, in this article, is to draw the attention of the coal- miners to the coal supply question as it affects them. There has recently been published a return showing that for the period March 1 to September 30, a term of seven months, stoppages of work caused a loss in output of 51,788 tons, and "go-slow" practice 4545 tons more, making a total reduced output of 59,333 tons, Tho loss in wages which the miners have suffered by theso stoppages amounts to .£2G,7Ba. These figures deal with mines other than the Stato mine. The greatest loss was at. the Pukemiro collieries—l4,Bßo tons. Everybody recognises that the ,numerous stoppages by depleting tho coal supply has entailed a considerable amount of loss, hardship, and inconvenience on the general public of the Dominion. Labour has suffered severely by it from the consequontly enhanced prices in various directions and even by actual loss of earnings. The question we respectfully ask tho miners is: "What have you made out of this loss of JE2G.785 in wagos?" Aro the miners' or any other workers' general supplies any cheaper? Are there moro houses, food, clothing, or othei necessities in consequence of the shortening of coal supplies? The miners are not fools, and they know that instead of there being more to draw upon thore is less. The reasons given for the many stoppages 6how clearly* that though tho workers may have been right in some points of disputes tho stoppages of work were in general deliberate on the part of the miners; therefore, we again ask them: "What do you make out of Table of Stoppaaes. Period of 6even months:— liotowaru Mine—ll stop-work meetings. 17 days' strike over railway fares. Extended Mine.—-1 stop-work meetings, 17 days' strike over railway fares, and ono day oil account of probable sha:> age of wagons. Pukemiro Mim;.—2l days over question of railway fares and status of enginedrivers. Mav Day holiday ■ and thrco days' trucking strike. Denniston Mine.—Strike on account of 17 men refusing to pay Broken Hill strike levy. Millerton Mine—Strike over use ol safety lamps \jJiicli inspector required to be used letting three days, two days stoppage nwing to forge drivers refusing to work certain horses. Note—AVere not all theso matters tor negotiation? What did the minors get out of the stoppages of work? So far as wo can learn there was po trouble at the State mine before August 7 From August 7 to October 2, tho days lost through strikes and stop-work raeetiii"« were 13: the loss of output from wme 8450 tons and 500 tone from of wages from these causes was X 4600.

Appeal to Common Sense. We aro not abusing the miners and have no inclination ill that direction. It should be recognised that their work is arduous and in some instances their working environment entails ft very hard strain .both on mind and body. Their conditions are sometimes handled with hck of appreciation and proper sympathy. When, for instance the miners kicked against the Hallway Department s provision at Greymouth to carry men to u-nrk at fi.ls a.m. and leavo them time in tho cold and- wet,_they were ri<*ht in tb< j ir protest. It is with regard wTknoAhc who wUI U £ th! these «««,£ material benefit?" If V '" y nothing out of it. then surely you gtt noU " lonß( , r allow anyone £ 'imsh'yon Into it 'Aether they are workers or bosses.