THE STRIKE AT THE BRUNNER COAL-MINE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IX, Issue 40, 16 February 1874, Page 2

THE STRIKE AT THE BRUNNER COAL-MINE.

We mentioned a few days ago that .there had been some disturbance between the employers and the employed at the Brunner Mine. An explanation of the affair will be found in the following letter addressed to the editor of the *Grey River Argus': — Sir — The lessees of the Brunner Coalmine beg permission to offer through your columns a word of explanation as to a handbill circulated this evening in Greymouth, by some of the men lately in their employment. That handbill is a notification that " The miners are on strike", the causes assigned being :— 1.. A new system of working the mine

whioh we can prove is both dang» r jub and unprofitable, and is calculated to place the lives of the men in the greatest danger. 1. Owing to being givein over to a manager who is, in our opinion, utterly incompetent for the task he has undertaken. Lastly. Because, in addition to the above, a reduction of sixpence per ton has been made in our wages. It is, of course, no part of our intention to discuss publicly the relation between ourselves and our employers. To the inexorable laws of supply and demand, we like all others must conform; but we feel that the occurrence of a strike in one of the leading industries in this district is of sufficient importance to justify us in correcting the misstatements with which it is announced. The first of these "causes" is perhaps the only one concerning public attention; but the men on .strike have themselves given a conclusive reply to the whole of their assigned --causes." When they made objection to working at one particular point, they were told tbat any other in the mine would do as well, provided they got out the same quantity of coal. Their answer was that they would work in any part of the mine, and at the reduced price, but that they would not work under the present foreman. It was even suggested on their behalf that they should be allowed to elect their own foreman. This is therefore the whole question at issue, and we think lhat wo are competent to deal with it. We may be permitted before closing this communication to refer to the motives which governed our proceedings. Knowing that the development of the coal trade of this port, in which we are so vitally concerned, depends upon sufficient inducement being offered to shipping to obtain supplies here, we are anxious to do all that lies in our power to provide such inducements. Lowering the cost of coal to the public is all that at present lies in our power, and this we are determined to effect, no matter what impediments may be thrown in our way. To lower its cost of production is obviously, if not our only, at least our first, step in tjiis direction, and while we pay abundant wages to those in our employment, we think they should be the last to place obstacles to the progress of the industry by which they live. We are, Sir, Your obedient servants, (For self and Co., Lessees), T. E. M'CARTHT. D. A. Hughes. Greymouth, Feb. 11, 1874.