MINES ACT QUESTION.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 October 1923, Page 2

MINES ACT QUESTION.

THE MINERS’ CONTENTION

[by TELEGRAPH—I’KR TRESS ASSOCIATION.]

WELLINGTON. October 8. An authority on West Coast mining matters strong criticised to-day, the reported statement made by the secretary of the West Coast Minors’ Council, in a telegram to Mr Holland, M.P., that “the miners were locked out for adhering to tho Mines Act and Clause 42 of the Westland award.”

It was obvious, said the gentleman refereed to, that no serious weight could be placed on this statement, in the lacx; of the undisputed fact that the miners took a ballot on two issues

a strike, or go slow; that this ballot made no provision for those who had no desire to follow either ol these two courses: and that a majority voted in favour of a "go-slow policy. It appeared to he quite evident, theictore, that the claim of the minors that they had been loeked-out for adhering to - Clause 42 of the award, or for complying with the Coal Mines Act and Regulations. was completely answered by tacit - own actions. Clause 42 reads: "•The practice of - blasting coal ’out solid, without preliminary holing or cutting shall not be permitted. Shottirors shall not fire any charge until a proper amount of holing or cutting has been done.”