MINERS WEAKENING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26625, 22 November 1947, Page 8

MINERS WEAKENING

WEST COAST BEER BOYCOTT RUNANGA UNION WITHDRAWS, SUPPORT Special (Correspondent GREYMOUTH, Nov. 21.

The first section of oiganised industry on the West Coast to seek a counter to the decision of the Greymouth Licensed Victuallers’ Association to increase the price of beer to 7d, the coal miners, are reported to be showing signs of weakness in their attitude to the beer boycott. . This is indicated by a report that the Runanga Co-operative Coal Mine Employees’ Union has withdrawn its support for the boycott. It is reported that the decision was made at a meeting held to discuss the boycott on 'Wednesday night. Questioned to-day, the secretary of the union, Mr D. Barnes, declined to confirm or deny the report, and after admitting that discussion on arguments for and against the boycott had taken place, said that he might release the decision after a few days. The delay, he said, was on account''of the small attendance at the meeting, a quorum only having been obtained. There are many co-operative mines in the Runanga district, and most are worked by upwards of 12 men. Though by secret ballot the Westland Carpenters’ Union favoured the union entering the beer boycott, resentment was expressed by several Greymouth carpenters to-day. A total of 190 ballot papers were issued by the union, and of these 118 were returned. Exactly one-half (59) favoured the beer boycott, whereas 50 expressed opposition, and nine votes were informall The union thus came into the dispute on the side of the trade unionists by a majority of nine votes. Resentment, it is reported, was expressed at a meeting last night by the Greymouth members of the union, who alleged that though the general wish had been for a secret ballot to be conducted to ascertain the views of the West Coast members, ballot papers had been sent to all members, including those at Westport, where no boycott is in operation, and Where the price at present is 6d.