MINISTER’S COMMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 13 July 1932, Page 5

MINISTER’S COMMENT

ON /RECENT COAL DISPUTE. j • PLEASED AT BALLOTS RESULT'. /Per Press Association— "Copyright.) WELLINGTON, July 12. v Tho Rope that, the, same spirit which : resulted in the settlement of the North- • era mining disp.ut.e>: .yvill-. acQiiria.fce further conciliation proceedings, wias exiprei’sed by the Minister-of Labour this afternoon. /*'? Commenting on the ratification of tlie Conference agreement by the miners’ union, the Minister said:. "I was certainly very pleased when I learned that the ballot among the miners bad resulted in the majority .favouring the adoption of the agreement,” It, would be recalled, he said, that as Minister of Labour, h 6 had invited representatives ✓ of the mine owners and miners to meet him after unsuccessful negotiations* for the new agreement. “It was appafent to me, when they entered the conference room, that -both sides had come forward 'in a spirit of' helpfulness, and with a desire to arrive at a satisfactory settlement. That conference, to niy •mind, indicated what can be done around the conciliation table if the parties enter the proceedings with a full desire to reach an agreement and in a spirit of give and take. ’

750 MINERS DISMISSED. , N.S.W; COLLIERY TO BE CLOSED. SYDNEY, July 12. Tih'e New South Wales State Government have decided to close the State coal mine at Lithgow. This involves the dismissal of 750 employees. The Premier, 'Mr Stevens, said that the cost of producing the coal at this mine was about five shillings per ton ton greater than the*' cost at the private collieries. His* Government would thus save nearly £IOO,OOO yearly by closing the mine. He was hopeful that the miners would-be absorbed by the private collieries. HIKURANGI RESUMES TO-DAY. WHANGAREI, July 13. After the strike period of eight weeks operations were resumed with a preliminary staff this morning at the 'H’ikurangi Company’s colliery which will be restored to full working capacity this afternoon. On account of the water accumulated during the cessation, some workings are not yet in operation, but the men will be placed elsewhere until the de-watering)’Process 4 completed. WALLSEND RESUMING TOMORROW • " , GREYMOUTTT, Ju’y 13. The Wallsend mine manager:':’ yesterday gave notice that. gll .employees desiring to be included in a party, or parties to work the Wall sen cl Mine, on contract, are requested to hand m their names' at the'mine office; peel- - to be given to present employees, but such preference ends on Friday, July 15th., when the list wild be closed.* Elxtra men required wid be selected from outriders, who have already applied for work. This notice formed the subject of a meeting of miners in .the afternoon when 140

voted against the proposal and 10 for it. As the result of the vote taken by the miners, thb Walkend Colliery is now id.e, as the Company lias made the continuance of work dependent upon acceptance of the change dictated by them. Tins, miners will tlms remain jdile until Urn Company withdraws the conditions of which it lias given notice. The Coa] Mine Owners’ Association /lias asked the Wullsend Mine Company to ivitF'*riiw its notice regarding contract working ro that the forthcoming conference will not be jeopardised. The company has agreed, and the mine is expected to resume work to-morrow under the o' 1 condition:;.