MOST MINES IDLE

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 246, 8 June 1932, Page 5

MOST MINES IDLE

(Press. Assn.-

NEW WQRKERS' AGREEMENT STUMBLING BLOCK TO SETTLEMENT BOTH ISLANDS INVOLVED The coal strike has extended throixghout the Dominioh in accordance with the. miners' declarations, and although efforts are being made to settle the dispute hy conference the majority of the mines in the Dominion are now idle. Goal stocks in most'centres are" sufficient for immediate needs hut the possibility of importations is beihg discussed ' should the trouble be protracted. - The new minefs' agreement which imposes altered wdrking conditions," is the stumbling block to a settlement.

— By Telegraph — .Copyright).

.GREYMOUTH, Tuesday. The position is that the South island miners are working in company with the northern union. « The State mine output equals nearly 900 tons daily for 440 men. Some of the co-operative mines have been selling coal more cheaply of late, but prices are apt to rise as soon as demands for their coal increase. The Blackball mine which employs 150 men, although idle .to-day, is affected by trade conditions and is not concerned with the decision of the unions as the workers there are not unionists. Mr. McLean, the miners' national secretary, said the miners. considered ^he owners ohjects included overproduction and an 11 day fortnight, the dismissal of 100 or more miners, and longer hours, as well as wage redx^tions. All mines 'on the- West Coast are idle to-day. No reason was given to the companies except by union officials that the men had decided to stop The Stu&e mine being affiliated to the West * Coast Union, although not directly concerned in the proposed new agreement, automatically beeomes idle. The James mine was to work today. Union officials went out and stopped the men going into the mine. The mines ilot affected include Blackball, employing 150 men, and 23 co-operative mines and Crown and Harbour Board lands.