MT MORGAN TROUBLE

Hokitika Guardian, 14 September 1925, Page 1

MT MORGAN TROUBLE

lltlMß SWUIST.UtX-S STATKMKNT [Australia & N.Z. Cable Association. BP ISB.VNK, September 12. Tin? Home Secretary, .Mr Sloplord in a staLeinent as member for Aloun Morgan, said Dial what the men do sired was some definite declaration o policy respecting the company’s inteli linn so they would know exactly wha to do. The trouble had Iseen simmer ing ever since IP2I. when a twenty per cent reduction in wages was made It was pretty sale to say that wit! the broken time, lost time and holidays, tlie average wage of the surfacemen would lie about C'li a fortnight In addition it had been the policy ol the company for some years to threaten to dose the works and the liter had become exasperated. He did not think the men objected to dosing the mine, but wanted a doliuilc declaration ol the company's policy. Mount .Morgan was a community where the men owned their own homes and the um-ertainiiy was depreciating tin value, thereof. Until now. a honu which before the reduction ol wages, was worth £'2oo would not realise L'-TO, There were thirteen I red men directly concerned in tins lock-out. Every section of the workers was solid. II is stated that Mr Rymor. State Pre.sidenl of the Australian Railways' Union, wired the leader of the Mount Morgan workers, to inform Mr Sloplord that i lie rnilwaynn-ii were behind the Mount Morgan workers, regarding Die fourty-four hour week and a liv-

(‘j>iii nn'ii t ing on this Mr Stopfonl said Dial there was no need to inform him that ilit* railwaymeii were behind the Mount Morgan workers. They had always been behind them, especially in ID2I, when they were so far behind them that when the Mount Morgan men were fighting against the first wage redact ion IS,OOO railwaymeii colt Diluted only C!)0 in the year. Tin's time he hoped the railwaymeii would : one* III! closer.

Mr Sloplord xiigge-t.'-d I hat the railway men should levy t hem-el ves two shillings week I v and lie'll possibly their i n ■ t neglect might be lorgoOeii.

THE Ur\T. AF! P I-!. BPfSB \ V F. Sent. IT. A telei ill one m.-s-age has I received at H-iekliamiit-.il from Mount Morgan, slating Hint t lie liemlgear ai ithe Ml. Morgan mine is pit lire, and that the miners have rallied from all pa rt s of the jowl! tot be rescue. \o details are avail:,Lie. BRISBANE. Sept. PL The strikers at Mount Morgan have commandeered motor buses and other vehicles and have rushed to assist at the tire at tile mine. The situation of Du- outbreak is alarming, and in iluabsence of lighis, Ike work of locating ! lie sent Ol the lire is vorv dangerous, ihe sulphur fnnn-s being almost unbearable. Apparently the men. who have rushed la Die nil'll- In large numbers, have chei ked the out break. The tire lias mase-l the industriid trouble !■> lie forgotten lor ilea time being. The sit mil mu lias now quietened. although the pickets ate 'till vigilant - Cmsi 3 ar2K3I2KE.*3K3Wr. - J