SHAG POINT MINE

Hokitika Guardian, 11 June 1929, Page 3

SHAG POINT MINE

THE OWNERS’ CASE. STATED BY MR T. 0. BISHOP. L By Telegraph, Per Press Association., WELLINGTON, Juno 10. In a leng'.hy statement Mr T. 0. Bishop, Secretary of the ./New Zealand Coal Aline Owners’ Association, joins issue with Air Angus Alt-Lagan, representative of the United Aline Workers of New Zealand concerning the latter’s statements in an interview with the Hon W. A, Veitcli, Alinister of Mines and Labour, in connection with the closing of the Shag Point. Colliery. Air. AlcLagan’s statement -was that, tne company sought to impose a reduction of ton per cent, in wages and that, when the men declined to accept, notice was served oil them of an intention to close down the mine. This was'incorrect, said Air Bishop. The position was that for the past ; ;> years the company had I/ecu losing two shillings per ton on all coal produced and sold. As the agreement was falling due on April 4th. the company sought, two months before, to obtain tne men’s consent to a new award, with the rates of wages reduced totalling about five per cent, so as to enable the mine to carry on. The Union refused, stating that they too were seeking an award, but one for increased .wages. The Union had also refused the company’s offer to pay a chartered accountant, employed bv the Union itself, to examine the company’s books arid see for themselves the actual position. Am aker native offer by the company to hand the mine over to the men to be worked by them, under the supervision of the company’s manager, on some co-partnership basis, was also refused discussion for a working basis unless the mine, which was closed down on March 28th. . was unconditionally opened. The company’s terms would have.given the truckers 16s per day and the piece rate workers an opportunity of earning not less than £1 per day, with a guaranteed minimum of 3s 6d per day. Air AlcLagan’s proposal was that the company should join him in asking tlie, Government to pay more for coal supplied to the rai ways. The company refused unless the miners were prepared to help the industry by accepting some reduction. Further suggestions -.by--the company, involving a slight reduction in wages, to allow the mine to pay its way, had not been accepted by the Union. • Air Bishop concluded by saying: “These 80 men are on the unemployment market as the effect of Alr AlcLagan’s own altitude towards the company’s reasonable proposals.”