Notes from Kaitangata.

Maoriland Worker, Volume I, Issue 6, 20 February 1911, Page 17

Notes from Kaitangata.

The awards with several of the coalminers in Otago having expired last September, the Otago Miners' Union Jias been fully occupied for some time in endeavouring to form fresh agreements in most of the cases where the awards had expired. They were able to form a fresh agreement with the New Zealand Coal and"* Oil Company, whose mine at Kaitangata is the largest in Otago and Southland. The new agreement makes a distinct improvement in the conditions of work, and in some cases an advance was secured in wages. For instance, first-class shift mcii will receive 11s. per shift, being an increase of Is. A similar increase is also procured for certain classes of truckers, who., having served a period of five years with the company, will at the age of nineteen years receive 10s. per shift; and, although the employer would not consent to its being embodied in the agreement, we were verbally assured that for the future all competent truckers would receive 10s. per day. We were able to secure an increase of 3d. per ton in bords where two men were employed on one shift, and also several other concessions for miners where extra difficulty is experienced in getting coal. In some cases, too, we got the machinery parts of the ward improved upon.

We also met the Bruce Railway arid Coal Company, and were there able to improve our members' positions. The biggest step we obtained in advance here of the old conditions was the reduction in the trucking distance by miners from three chains to an average of ten yards. We also got several machinery parts of the agreement better worded than in the past. This agreement is for a period of twelve months, and that with the New Zealand Coal and Oil Company is for eighteen months. We also formed an agreement with another small mine, which is fairly satisfactory. Our only failure was with the Taratu Company, who refused point blank to discuss any improvement of the working conditions with us. We have not decided yet what steps we will take, with a view of securing betterment for our members at this mine, but some attempt must be made, because it is recognised that the employees are in a worse position there than many other places so far as their earnings are concerned.

Work in the Kaitangata mines has been very steady for some time now, so far as the time put in is concerned, but still the earnings of a large number have not been so good as they should be, particularly since the newagreement came into force. This seems a peculiar position, after what has already been said about the new agreement improving the conditions of work, but is to be explained thus : In the old award there was a provision which enabled the employer, when there was a scarcity of truckers, to get the miners to truck their own coal by paying an increased tonnage rate. This being the case, there was a chronic shortage of truckers. Now, however, the employer has to truck the coal from the face, and, not having a full staff of truckers yet, it is easily to be seen that there will be a shrinkage in the output until sufficient truckers are employed. Of cotirse, this should soon adjust itself and ultimately tend to the betterment of both miners and truckers. The tendency should be in

the direction of the truckers receiving that treatment which they ought to, but do not always, obtain, while few will uphold the iniquitous practice of miners having to truck their own coal.

The term of office of the Executive of the Union having expired, nominations were called, and, with the exception of the position of general secretary, for which office the late secretary was returned unopposed, all the positions were contested, the sitting committee, however, were re-elected, except the treasurer, who did not seek re-election. The contest was, in the main, .more of principles than of individuals,, there being a certain number of the members somewhat antagonistic to the Federation. They, in consequence, put up a number of candidates who are onposed to Fede-

ration, but the result of the ballot clearly shows that the majority of the Union recognise the value of combination to the workers. And it is to be hoped that the time is not far distant when Labour as a w T hole will sink all petty differences among themselves and present a united front to the employers. We cannot blame the other side for taking a leaf from our own book and fortifying themselves in one huge federation; rather we should scourge ourselves for being so blind and slowas to let the other fellow get ahead of us in organising. We have the power to demand and get our just rights, but. unfortunately, we are too dense to be unanimous in the methods we should use to get justice. This, however, suits the book of the capitalist While we are so busy wrangling amongst ourselves he is getting his tricks in every time. One never sees any sign of dif-

ference of opinion amongst the employing class as to their plan of campaign, and so far they have achieved a very good and sure position with the aid of that institution known as the Arbitration Court. More and more of the workers are, happily, beginning to see that that Court, instead of being a blessing to them, is rather the reverse. One wonders how an employer would feel if a Court was set up to regulate the price at which he should sell his commodities and fixed an award for a certain period, while, at the same time, no provision was made to protect him from the possible extra cost of the raw material he utilised in his business ; and, further, if he was blessed with a Court President who was drawn from the most numerous section of the consumers. That would be a kind of Arbitration Court that would bring a wail from capitalists from one end of the country to the other, and rightly so, too; but the exponents of arbitration fail to see it in that light when applied industrially. A Court is set up, presided over by a President who is every time taken from the capitalist fold, and proceeds to fix the rate at which the worker shall sell the only commodity he has to dispose of, viz., his labour. And then the worker must dispose of his labour at the rate awarded, or if he does not, as a body, he does something unlawful, for which certain pains and penalties are inflicted, all this in spite of the fact that the price fixed may be totally inadequate to provide the ordinary necessaries of life to his family and himself. There is no appeal; the Judge is a law unto himself. Workers, the sooner you realize the truth of the saying, "If you want a job done, do it yourselves," the better for you. Don't depend upon three men, only one of whom is on your side, to do your business for you. Be men, and do it yourselves. You can do it without a strike. You know that the best way to secure peace is to be prepared for war. Unite in one grand Federation, and you will be prepared for war. But if you are united there will be no war. You will get justice so easily and quietly that you will be surprised, and you will wonder why you did not get about it sooner.