THE OTIRA DEADLOCK

Otago Witness, Issue 2894, 1 September 1909, Page 38

THE OTIRA DEADLOCK

A SETTLEMENT EFFECTED. WELLINGTON, August 30. The Labour Department is advised that a settlement of the Otira trouble has been arrived at through the intervention of Mr P. Hally, Conciliation Commissioner. The agreement was to be signed this afternoon. (From Oub. Own Coß&ssroKDExr.) GREYMOUTH, August 30. A resolution was passed by a large meeting this morning by the Otira Branch of the Inangahua Miners' Union unani- ! mously approving of the arrangements ! made by Messrs H. Betts and M. Fagan (president and secretary of the Inangahua Miners' Union, Reefton) with Messrs M'Xiean and Sons (contractors for the | Otira tunnel), whereby the- deadlock, was, j brought to an end. A vote of thanks was ■ recorded to the boaardinghouse-fceepers I and, business people of Otira for their j offers of support to the men in the { trouble. The men resume work .at 4 •p.m. to-day. , Everyone seems satisfied ' about getting back to work. j- The parties to the dispute accepted a recommendation from the Conciliation Com- ■ missioner to the effect that the union would j undertake to indemnify the employers for j any wilful dan. age or loss that might occur 1 in connection with the "company's lamps, j so far as members of the union were oon-. eerned. The contractors agreed to provide 6oz of carbide per shift — or equal to 21b 4oz for the week. The men will take j the lamps (which are numbered) to their huts, but will do the ie-filKng at the tunneL In regard to the short shifts on Saturday and Monday, that question has been referred to the Arbitration Court, j through the Inspector of Factories, for the j interpretation of the legal position. In | the meantime both parties have been re- • quested to furnish statements of fa<St in j regard to this matter, for the information : of the court j The Star's Wellington correspondent telegraphs stating that Mr P. J. O'Jftegan (counsel for the Miners' Federation) had advised that the action of the contractors . for the Otira tunnel in proposing to dodect money in respect of damage to lamps , is illegal, being a breach j)f the Wages j Protection and Contractors' Liens Act- , If there_ is any wanton or unnecessary , destruction of lamps ov other property, the contractors can . dismiss the person j guilty of it, or can proceed against him I or may do both, but the proposal to dej duct money to indemnify themselves is a clear breach of the statute mentioned.