Reefton Lock-out

Maoriland Worker, Volume 3, Issue 87, 15 November 1912, Page 4

Reefton Lock-out

SETTLEMENT IN ABEYANCE.

INANGAHUA MINERS' UNION

A very large meeting of the members of the Inangahua Miners' Union was held on Sunday afternoon, November 3. Tho delegates to the conference between tho miners and the mineowners reported to the meeting that proceedings were still in continuance, and that nothing could be disclosed at the present stage. A matter had been _ referred to the Mine-owners' Association, and it was proposed to call a meeting on Sunday, November 10, when definite proposals most probably would be laid before the meeting. ANOTHER "BOGUS" UNION. The following was wired to the daily press on November s:—The negative result of Sunday's meeting crystallised the movement long pending of the formation of a new union in the Inangahua district. Already 50 miners' names have been handed in, and a meeting is to he called at an early date to elect officials. Rules and regulations have already been drawn up. The question at issue is: Can the new union be registered under the Arbitration Act? The promoters have taken legal advice, and have stated that this is possible. The union is the result of grave dissatisfaction with the dilatory attempts at a settlement of the difficulty and objections to the methods of the union. Interviewed regarding the formation of a new union, Mr. Fagan, secretary of the Miners' Union, states that the new union does not consist of miners; moreover, it is impossible to register while the Miners' Union is under the Arbitration Act, and he regards it as a threat of men holding no weight. O'REGAN'S OPINION. In connection with the foregoing, Mr. P. J. O'Rogan stated to a "Times" representati v'c that he had been aware for some time that a movement was on foot in Reefton to form a new industrial union, and in consequence he advised the existing union not to cancel its registration under the Arbitration Act. If no industrial union existed, he advised that the registrar could not refuse to register a union, provided application were made by 15 persons. Section 11 of the Act was specially devised "to prevent tho needless multiplication of industrial unions connected with the same industry in the same locality or industrial district." This gives the registrar power to refuse registration of any new' industrial union, but an appeal lies from his decision to the Court of Arbitration. So far, Mr. O'Regan added, there is no instance of two industrial unions existing in the same locality in conection with the same industry.