MEN LOSE JOBS

Hokitika Guardian, 18 December 1931, Page 5

MEN LOSE JOBS

TAUPIRI COAL MINERS. EIGHTY-FIVE MEN DISMISSED. (By Teleyraph —Per Press Association Jj AUCKLAND, December 17. Eighty-five workers at the Taupiri Coal Company’s mines this morning received fourteen days’ notice of their i dismissal. \ Yesterday a notice was forwarded by the Secretary of the Taupiri Coal Mines Coy., to the Secretary of the Miners’ Onion informing him that the Directors had, owing to slackness of orders, been reluctantly forced to reduce the number of men.

When interviewed, the Hon. E. W. Alison, Chairman of Directors of the Taupiri Coal Alines Coy., stated that, with the existing economic conditions and the large number of unemployed, the Directors of the Company were extremely reluctant to reduce the number of workers. However, regrettable as it was, there was no alternative, as the whole of the coal to supply the present, or even additional, orders, could be obtained by the working of one mine. The Company had been working three mines, Nos. 1,2, and 3, and the Directors had now decided to close Nos. 2 and 3 mines. During the summer period, there was always a falling off in the demand for coal, but this summer it had been more marked than in previous summers. With decreased orders and three mines working, the Directors decided that it was imperative that steps be taken at onco to stop the loss consequent’, upon tho working, of three urines. However, in closing two .of the mines, . precautions would he taken to keep each i|{ good order, and in readiness for re-work-ing at 48 hours’ notice.

300 DISMISSALS PENDING

MINERS’ SERIOUS POSITION. HAMILTON, December 18. There is a feeling of apprehension among miners at the Rotpwaro, Pukemiro, Glen Alton, and Renown Collieries, as a result of the pending dismissals of some throe hundred men The mines are working to-day and to-morrow, A meeting of miners throughout the district is to bo held to discuss the situation.