STOCKTON DISPUTE

Hokitika Guardian, 29 November 1930, Page 5

STOCKTON DISPUTE

MR, BETTS’S FINDING

IN FAVOUR OF EXTRA SHIFTS

[±Jy Telegraph, Per Press Association.]

WESTPORT. November 28

The following is the decision of Mr C. I). Betts, the independent Chairman in the Stockton mine dispute:—‘•My finding is that the management seeks to improve the output inputting eh extra of extended, shifts on Wet Places, the object being to improve the output So as to enable coal to ho produced for the locomotives earlier on the day shift; also to employ his truckers a full eight hours in this respect. In the circumstances, I think he is justified. This Company has been very unfortunate, in that they have had a long career of ill success. Therefore, I would recommend the men concerned and the management to co-operate to the very fullest extent for their mutual benefit, and the successful working of the mine. T might also point out that the Bidler Progress League has done its level best in trying to bring in the use of New Zealand coal only, and also in inducing bunkering trade for this part, with some measure, of success. The railways are now using 100 per cent of New Zealand coal, and. if there is not some measure of continuity of supplies, this trad© is likelv to go elsewhere, to the detriment of the mining communitv. On the evidence produced. I therefore recommend that the miners should give effect to the proposals of the management.