Military Appeals by 257 Miners Dismissed

Manawatu Times, Volume 69, Issue 62, 16 March 1944, Page 4

Military Appeals by 257 Miners Dismissed

President’s Attack on Federation of Labour (Per Press Association.) GREYMOUTH, March 15. The Armed Forces Appeal Board this | afternoon gave reserved decision in tho cases of military appeals for 257 men engaged iu the Strongman and Liverpool State mines. The chairman stated, that in giving a decision on February 23 all the cases were adjourned to give the reservists an opportunity of altering their go-slow policy. The board had then intimated that if the results showed good work, the appeals would be adjourned sine die, otherwise they would oe dismissed. The evidence to-day showed that there had been practically no alteration in the policy of the union and that the go-slow had continued. The attendance had not been in accord with the requirements and full time had not been worked. The board, therefore, had no option but to dismiss the appeals. Each appeal would be dismissed, including those for 24 men who had asked that their appeals be withdrawn to enable them to join the forces. The union president (Mr. Georga English) later made a statement as follows-. “It has been the policy of the State Miners’ Union over a number of years to discuss all problems and difficulties with the Minister of Mines or the Under-Sccretary or both. We have found that system quite satisfactory to all parties. It was only when the dispute had arisen that compulsion was brought to force us to put our troubles through so-called constitutional channels. Wc have found the previous method quite satisfactory to all parties and are fully of opinion that if Mr. Webb would fall into line with the usual practice adopted quite a broad avenue would be opened for the settlement of the present dispute. “Mr. Webb expressed himself to ms as personally willing to meet the union and discuss our problems, but stated that the Federation of Labour was arrogating to itself the right to what they termed disciplining the State Miners’ Union. This was resented by the members of the union and they appear to have lost faith for some time in the so-called constitutional channels. We are satisfied that if Mr. Webb would meet us and discuss our troubles with us as he has always done in the past a settlement would be achieved. “Whatever power is being brought to bear to prevent Mr. Webb coming to meet us is to the detriment of a chance of a solution. The men are as firm in their attitude to-day as they have been all along and there is no reason to think their courage will fall or their faith in the justice of their demands. The Undersecretary of Mines (Mr. Benney) saw us and appeared to have no further power than to chide us and tell us to put our case through the constitutional channels. But he told us we had no hope of getting these demands in that way. Mr. McLagans attitude was similar. The statements broadcast about the high wages of the State miners are definitely deceiving, tfie deductions being very high.'*