Kiripaka Lock-out.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 3, Issue 86, 1 November 1912, Page 2

Kiripaka Lock-out.

UNION'S VIEWPOINT.

HOLIDAYS FOR OTHER PURPOSES MEN FREQUENTLY PUT OFF.

To the Chairman and Directors Northern Coal Co. Gentlemen, —At a meeting of my ■union, held on October 15, 1910 I was instructed by resolution to place the men's views of the lock-out before your directorate, pointing out that the men consider they hare been most unfairly treated. When delegates from this union, in company with Mr. R. Semple (Federation of Labor) met your directors re now agreement, Col. Holgate said he was always pleased to meet representatives from Kiripaka—they were very fair and easy to get on with. Hβ further stated he had been called many times to Hikurangi on union troubles, but never once to Kiripak*. My union further wish to point out that during the past three years the men have been given many holidays they did not wish for. During the time of the water trouble the men were compelled to take extended holidays, and received no pay or compensation from the company during their enforced idleness. They have been sent home by the management for various reasons such as "no empty skips," "no boats," "water in the mine," "pumps out of order," "creep," etc.

Again, during the final extraction of pillars, the men were only working three and four shifts per fortnight, and were repeatedly told the new mine would shortly be started, otherwise it is most probable the men would have sought work elsewhere.

We beg to point out it has been customary for men to have a day off to attend to their own private business. The members of the local Football Club were allowed any Saturday off they required to play in matches and that while the mine was producing coal. The men who were absent on Saturday, 12th inst., were only on pick and shovel work, and we suggest did not inconvenience the company in any way.

The "Auckland Star" publishes an interview with Gol. Holgate, in which that gentleman is made to say the work here is not important, and only carried on in consideration of married men with their homes and families here. My union suggests that if the "Star" interview is correct why are the men not at work —the homes and the families are still here.

Gentlemen, knowing the above facts, my union considers the crime of taking a day off on nay Saturday (which is an idle day in almost every mmmg 'district in New Zealand) was too severely punished when the lock-out was introduced. ■—Youra faithfully,

JAS. ROLFE, Secretary. Kiripaka, October 15.