The Buller Miners and the Mining Companies.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 3, Issue 61, 10 May 1912, Page 9

The Buller Miners and the Mining Companies.

UNIONISTS INSIST ON RECOGNITION OF FEDERATION.

The miners of the Buller have just "called tlie bluff" of the coal owners. Tho latter would like to have fought, but were afraid. There was a reason. They were faced by a solidly-organised body of mcn —men who could fight and would fight if the necessity arose. This the owners discovered, so gave way. Some few weeks ago the representatives of the Buller coal minors met representatives of the coal owners to draft, a new agreement. A basis of settlement was arrived at, subject to tho ratification of tho miners. The Denniston men refused to accept the terms offered. There were two clauses to which strong exception was taken. One clause referred to wet places. It provided that men working in wet places should work not less than fjj hours at the face. The men demanded six hours bank-to-bank. Anyone'at all conversant with mining, particularly iii Denniston, will at once recognise the principle involved. Another clause which aroused the miners' opposition was the payment of 9s. per day to adult rope-road men. The Denniston men demanded 10s. The Westport Goal Company refused to grant tho men's demands. The men were obdurate. The agreement remained unsigned, and the questions in dispute were bunded over in the N.Z.F.L. to see what could be dene in the matter. That body approached tho Coal Company, but were told flint tlie matter would not be reopened. The Federation persisted, only to meet with further refusal. The company's officials declared they would not meet the Federation. Tho unionists insisted that no settlement would be arrived at except, through the Federation. A deadlock appeared inevitable. Then the unionists began to take a serious part in the game of bluff. Notice was served upon the refractory company that unless it was prepared to talk business by 2 o'clock on Tuesday, April .10, a mass meeting of unionists —comprising members of Seddonvillc, Stockton, Granity and Denniston Unions—would be held to discuss questions of import to organised labor. The result: tho company gave way. Its foolish attitude of obstinacy was replaced by reason. The Federation representatives were met. The Denniston men's terms were conceded. What dull-witted official was responsible for tho company's silly attitude we do not know. Tho inevitable climb down does not add to the prestige of tho management. It is well that some of these representatives of the commercial interests recoe-'nisievl that fact. It is n Ihick-nk'iilled policy, that of refusing (o rocorniso labor. For organised labor cr.n make it self t.-Ji, ,'inrl cannot be ignored. If Iho Coal Company's reiiresentatives in the Puller r-.rv.vi.'i.-.-.cl t'eit fact they would not I-a lie th r> ms-"!ves quite so ridiculous is they have dice. T!"y would have !■•• >o ."pi'p.-d (he humiliaiinn of giving Tbe ■:.-'! and f->:-bea!~-ye of the n,en star. I o,v ::; bold ret!'-!' lo tbe henvy--lit ::--'dbi!i ;rrt i>! ly-.l by trogi.'dvics whom !;■!•! ■• io:iuee happened to 'In,re ~|oi.!i,--d -.k;!i a little brio! .n; 1 hm ity.