MINERS OFFERED PARTICIPATION IN MANAGEMENT

Grey River Argus, 11 October 1948, Page 4

MINERS OFFERED PARTICIPATION IN MANAGEMENT

Mr McLagan s Request One or the most important announcements concerning the coal mining industry yet made by the Minister of Mines, the Hon. A. McLagan, was on Saturday evening when he asked the Blackball district and Roa Coal Miners’ Unions to confer with him with a view to establishing a joint management committee for the working of the mines. Recalling that the Seddon Government had not been satisfied with the delivery of coal under private ownership, and had established the first State mines more than 40 years ago. Mr McLagan said they had been the means of keeping the price of coal down, and providing the workers with better pay and conditions. There were no more State mines until Mr Webb had made an excellent purchase of the Blackball mine for £30,000 in 1940 when the private owners announced their intention of closing down. As a result Blackball had never looked back. ALL STATE-OWNED “To-day we own all the big mines of this land, and there are only four of any size that we don’t own,” said Mr McLagan. “But we will soon own them too,” ho added admist applause. The Government had recently passed legislation to acquire the whole of the coal in the ground for the people, and before long the whole valuable coal resources of the Dominion would belong to the people. “We hope to work the mines much more efficiently than the private owners ever could,” said Mr McLagan. “We intend to work them in co-opera-tion with the mine workers themselves, because otherwise they can’t be used to the best advantage.

“On behalf of the Government, therefore, I want to secure the co-operation of all the State miners, and I want to offer Blackball and Roa Unions a chance to take their share in the management by setting up a joint workers’ management committee, which can make a valuable contribution to the industry, said the Minister. “I hope that you give your best and enable us to prove to the whole country that State ownership of the mines is good and in the interests of New Zealand. Mr S. G. Holland hac referred to the miners as living in “holes in the ground” said Mr McLagan, warning those present of the attitude of the Opposition to the miners. Recently he had been criticised for naying £823,000 for the largest coal field in the North Island, said Mr McLagan, who added that greater production in the Waikato ar.ea should be expected from the State’s' purchase of the Taupiri mines. Mr McLagan outlined many improvements made in the conditions of miners since 1935 and told the audience that the Mines Department had built 151 homes for rental purposes, including 29 in the Grey district, and had made housing loans available to the extent of £15,735 last year for the erection of 11 new homes and the purchase of another eleven. Hostel accommodation for 24 men was being provided at Blackball and the Department was investigating the position at Runanga and Dobson. Next month, the Huntly hostel to accommodate 100 men would be opened, and accommodation for 64 was being provided at. Gianity.

Additionally authority to erect a total of 220 State houses had been given, including 50 at Reefton, 20 at Granity and Ngakawau, 20 at Dobson and ten at Waimangaroa. In the provision of amenities in mid about the mining townships, £23,530 had been spent by the Government since 1935. including over £3OOO last year. These amenities included 11 swimming baths, 22 sports areas, 18 tennis courts, eight croquet green .eight public halls, 18 bowling greens and 16 libraries.