MINING TROUBLES

Hokitika Guardian, 16 June 1932, Page 2

MINING TROUBLES

COALOWNERS’ VIEWS. AUCKLAND, June 15. In the course of a lengthy history of the present deadlock in the coalliiining industry, Air W. D. Holdgate, President of tlie New Zealand Coal Aline Owners’ Association, denies th e statement made by the National Executive of tlie New Zealand Labour Party, that there was apparently some conflict between the mine owners and Air T. 0. Bishop, secretary to the Coal Aline Owners’ Association. )M , Air Holdgnte said He was not aware of anything of the sort, and that- the Coal Alining Unions’ Federation was endeavouring to convey an impression that, the mine owners had refused :1 conference Avif.li the Unions for a neAv 'agreement. hi stating the attitude taken by the Coal Aline Owners throughout the dispute, Air Holdgate said that Air Bishop in his reply to the Labour Party, published oil June 11, made it quite dear that the men had not been refused a conference, hut that the contrary was the ease.

After reviewing the facts connec'!rd Avitli the failure of the two conferences at Auckland, with northern miners, Air Holgate, says: “On the AVest Coast, a conference Avas asked for and agreed to. The only thing leit to he determined Avas the date, and it was agreed to hold the conference as early as could he conveniently possible. Meantime, the old terms and conditions of employment Avert* to continue. The miners, instead of waiting for the conference, ceased work. There is no doubt but that, the strike, although commencing at Hikurangi, Avlicre Mr A. Ale-Lagan (Secretary of the Unions’ Federation) persuaded the men again to strike on the night before the conference on Alay 24, was brought about by representatives o ' the Federation Unions, on the question of Coal Aline Oavuci-s obiiminjr the unrestricted right to engage an f ] dismiss men without reservation, a right we claim, and which is granted to every other industry in New Zealand.”

Air Holdgate concluded: It is inconceivable to think in times like these when there are so many unemployed in the country, relying on work at the expense of almost unbearable taxation, that men who have regular employment, should so readily go out oil strike without any consideration not only of the big loss to the various industries, but also the inconvenience to which they put tlie general public. Tn years past, tlie Aline Owners have been meeting the Unions in conference, and have ahvays arrived at a Avorkable agreement betAveen both parties. The Unions knoAv perfectly well that there avoulc! be no difficulty in again coming to terms, with the exception of one clause they object to, and Avbicli the Coal Mine Owners are insistent upon, the unrestricted right to employ and dismiss tlie men at their discretion,