A COAL STRIKE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 43, 21 October 1913, Page 5

A COAL STRIKE.

TIMERS OUT AT HUNTiY. COMPANY THREATENS ACTION. [Per Press Association.J Auckland,October 20. In accordance wu.i tu e decision armed au on BiUui'jii), me coal miners .sirlick to-uay. mis morning, ocxore toe mine wmsties uieiv, urn sheets were quietiy mica uim p.diets. Any miner «no apparently uitcnuetl maxing tor tlie pimeaci wuo quietly buttoiinoied, a,ml in tne majority ox eases talked out 01 nis purpose, me result was tnat when tiie wmstiei. blew, tnere was only a Imnaiui oi men wno were prepared to commence i.uiK, rncse consist.- a mu in iy or sum and surface hands and truckers. me men «..o prescutea tnemseivts at tne mines to-cuty declared they wen not in synipatny wun tne strine, aim expressed tne opinion tnat moie men would.be bacn at worn to-morrow, ilus rc'iuains to be seen. As it is, over odd men are on strike, teo far as tne men wno have gone back to worn are concerned, it is stated, that not more than seven members ot the union resumed work. Altogether there arc about 40 men at work in and about tm mine, Imt tins number includes deputies, members of the Engine-drivers and the Firemen’s tnion (which is a separate body), and engineers- who oeiong to the Amalgamated Society oi Engineers (an entirely distinct organisation).

Mr E. W. Alison, chairman of directors of the Taupiri Coal Mines, Ltd., stated to-day that the directors' met this morning, and much astonishment and regret was expressed at the action of the union in defying the law and disregarding the very explicit terms oi the agreement. The directors can hardly conceive that the majority of the men are fully informed as to the actual position and the serious consequences which may ensue, in view of tins they resolved to forward a notice to the union, and to post copies at the pit-heads of the mines. The directors also decided to notify the Inspector of Awards of the action oi the union and to request him to take such stops in accordance with the law as are warranted by the circumstances. The' notice referred to sets forth various clauses of the agreement and’ then reads‘‘ln the present case i 1 does not appear ; t.hat the union has done all in its power to prevent .the strike. The provisions in regard to secret Mallet have been eiij■lirelvliquored.* of.any kine has been given to the directors of an intention to strike, this clear, therefore,.a I Imp dcliVerately laid" itself open to an action for damages in terms of the agreement, and that at tjpe f Ofitien of ~tbq. ..directors the agreement may he suspended, leaving hours of work, wages and other conditions of work to he fixed by agreement between the company ancHthm indivicJnfiTsjvorkmon. This is only'’ repjtUfe of -the action of the union. Under the. Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act Amendment Act, 1908, every member of the union has rendered himself liable to prosecution as.a striker, with liability to a fine up to £25, payment of which may lie enforced by execution against the property of the person lined.”

The Huntly miners held a mass meeting this afternoon, about 300 being present, when it was decided to appeal to the new Federation of Labor to take up their case. A telegram from that body congratulated the men on the stand taken. A SERIOUS OUTLOOK. Huntly, October 21. The miners decided to have 10,000 pamphlets printed and circulated throughout the Dominion giving itside of the .controversy. Mr Alison, chairman of directors, states that the men’s claim to decide who should be employed or discharged is unique among the causes of the industrial trouble in New Zealand. Sucli conditions would certainly not be conceded by the company. A continuance of the strike would be attended with serious consequences, as the company has no reserve coal tc meet the requirements of the Auckland district, which virtually depends on the Huntly mines for its supply The Thames milling is likely to he' affected also, but Waihi is provided for an emergency.