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Hokitika Guardian, 14 September 1931, Page 4

Titfi shortage of coal orders has resulted in the Dobson coal mine near Grey mouth arranging to dispense ■ with about 200 men out of a total of about 390. For some time there has been sharing of work among the miners, hut with les s " .orders, the Company proposes the shortening of hands and .'electing its men as required. The Union officials however wish to have men required cavilled or balloted for. The manager has promised to consider the matter, but with less orders available the Company will he glad to have the best return possible, as the overhead charges for the mine remain the same. Meantime the Union urge that the Government set up a. commission to investigate the coal question .for the Dominion with a view to checking imports. It is time the Coal Unions realised that the facility with which strikes are created have destroyed con. fidence in constant coal supplies, end that for security the large manufactures requiring coal have had to secure reserve supplies of overseas coal. It the Unions would give some tangible guarantee that supplies of coal would be maintained as required, the disposition to import would pass. It can lie well understood that manufacturers cannot afford to be at the mercy of the coal miners who can adopt so irresponsible an attitude when so disposed. The position should net he difficult to cure if the coal miners would themselves take the initiative. There would be no necessity for any Government commission if the coal miners’ unions through a common mouthpiece agreed to a line of policy which would assure constant coal supplies for all transport and industrial requirements of the Dominion, The situation seems so simple that it is remarkable those associated with the guidance of coal miners poliev do not attempt to set their house in order for the benefit of the unionist members and so secure more regular employment.