COAL LOSSES

Hokitika Guardian, 30 October 1920, Page 1

COAL LOSSES

DUE TO STRIKES,"' STOP-WORK MEETINGS, AND “GO-SLOW.” WELLINGTON, Oct. 26. A return prepared by the New Zealand Coal Mine Owners’ Association shows that for the Seven months’ period —from March Ist (when, the present national agreement commenced to operate) to September 30th—the output of the coal mines was reduced through the action of tfie miners by 59,333 tons, while the miners themselves: lost in wages £26,785. The number of days lost unnecessarily is given as 132$ and qf .tl|e tofal Joss of hutput 4545 tons was due to the operation o of the go-slow policy.:, Tlie following table gives in detail tlie loss of output at the various mines, di?e to disputes, strikes, and stop-work meetings;— ’ Stoppages Go-slow. Tons. Tons. Blackball Coal Co. ... 1,500 725 Taratji Coal Mines ... 2,665 320 Nightcaps Coal Co. ... Westport Coal Co. ... Dennistop Mine ... ... 3,350 Millerton Mine 5,490 Sfiag Point Co 240 T'uipiri Coal Mines ... Jlotowaru Mine ... ... 8,461 Extended Mine 11,652 Pujceiniro Collieries ... 14,880 lyestport-Stockton Co. 6,550 Totals 54,788 4,545 Total reduced output 59,333. Another table gives the number of days actually lost, and the amount lost in wages by tbo miners:— Days Loss Loss of unneces wages sarily. £ Blackball CoaJ Co 7 1,254 Taratu Coal Mines ... ... 14] 1,143 Nightcaps Coal Co Westport Coal Co.— • penniston Mine 10 1,747 Millerton Mine. '• •».. ... . 9 2,082 Shag Point and C.M. C 0.... 1 144 Taupiri Coal Mine- ,' Rotowaru Mine ... ... 24f 3,151 Extended Mine ... ... 21$ 7,675 Pukemiro jCoilieries ... ..; ,3J 4,743 Westport-Stockton 14 3,850

Totals ... 132 i £26,785 y,Bi\ -24sMine)i- Jll cj-'i —-i...gjjs doo’H It is stated that the above stoppages were due to disputes, strikes, and stopwork meetings. During the period under review there were eleven stop-work meetings at ltotowaru to consider the dispute. The largest stop was for a seventeen days’ strike over the railway fare issue. That resulted in a loss of 5849 tons of coal, and £2OOO in wages. On one, day (May 31st) the ifteh refused to go to work because the train was late. On another day they refused to work un-, less they were giiajanteed a full Oh March 12th last, the mine was idle because the truckers “refused to work as they had to use oil instead of grease.” At the Taupiri mine there were four stop-work meetings, and a strike lasting seyenteen days (railway fares), and stoppage of one day when the men refused to work owing to a probable shortage of. waggons. At Pukemiro there was a three day trucking

strike, several stopwork meetings, and a holiday for May day. The last named is not provided for in the agreement. Typical reasons for stoppages come from Millerton. The report reads: — “Millcrton mine, July 24th, 26th, and 27th. This trouble arose as follows: — The Inspector of Mines decided that one part of this mine must use safety lamps and these were duly installed. The men, however, at first refused to use them, but subsequently negotiations induced them to do so on payment of an increase of 6d a ton. On August 23rd and 24th, this mine was thrown idle owing to two or three of the forge drivers refusing to work certain horses, which they declared were suffering from “greasy heel.” Other work was found for these men for a time, but • before fresh horses could be obtained the men refused to continue work to which they were put, and as the miners stood. by them, two days” stoppage of operations was caused.