LABOUR TROUBLES

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 19 April 1917, Page 5

LABOUR TROUBLES

WATERSIDERS ON STRIKE. REFUSE TO HANDLE COAL. WELLINGTON, April 18. A steamer was ready to discharge 2000 tons Of railway coal this morning, but, though there was an ample supply of men, none accepted employment. The vessel lies idle at the coal wharf, with her hatches battened. The coal was hewn and loaded by union labour, but the men here state officially it must, be regarded as "scab" coal, being intended to take the place of supplies usually furnished by miners on strike. Another phase of the waterside feeling is the decision to >hold a meeting to consider knocking off all work at 5 o'clock because 300 watersiders depending on train services will be unable to get home if they work later. PUKEMIRO MINERS OUT. SUPPLY QUESTION ACUTE. URGENT NEED OF ECONOMY. AUCKLAND, April IS. The Waikato coal strike is assuming serious dimensions, word being received today that the men at the Pukemiro mine ceased work this morning. The men employed in various capacities at the Pukemiro Collieries, which are situated about eight miles from Huntly, number about 150, which means that over 250 are new on strike at Pukemiro and Waipa. The Huntly miners are still working, and it is hoped that they will continue to do so. The secretary of the Pukemiro Company received word this morning that as a result of a ballot the men decided by a majority of four to one to go on strike. In conveying this intimation to the company the men's executive stated that they had no grievance whatever against the company. They were entirely satisfied with the existing working conditions, but they were up aainst the Government on the conscription issue, and until that question was settled they could not make any offer for the resumption of work. Th e Auckland Gas Co. intimate's to consumers that if the coal strike continues for another three weeks, the company will be unable to maintain its services. This, as the company forcibly puts it, means that "in Auckland alone 13,000 people will be unable to ccok their food, and 29,000 consumers of as will be in darkness in their houses, besides the closing of many industries dependent on gas power."

POSITION AT WAIPA. MINERS' INTENTIONS OBSCURE. HUNTLY, April 18. The announcement that the miners of the Waipa collieries at Glenmassey had resumed work to-day was premature, as work was practically at a standstill to-day, most of. the men either remaining at their own homes cr being gathered about in small groups discussing the situation, which appears to be somewhat obscure. The strike has in fact excited some surprise among the men employed at other mines in the district, but an authoritative statement declares it to be a strike in sympathy with the West Coast miners. It is believed, therefore, that the Waipa strikers will remain out until the result of the ballot in the South is known. The number affected, including miners, truckers, shiftmen and bin hands, totals between 110 and 120 men. The .opinion is expressed locally that, although there is a strong extremist section among the Waipa miners, if a ballot were taken it would mean a verdict in favour of resumnig work. A meeting was held at Huntly on Monday night, but although the question of "downing tools" was raised, it is understood that the idea was vigorously opposed and vetoed by the majority of those present. It is confidently stated here by men well acquainted with the situation that a secret ballot among the Huntly miners would result in an overwhelming majority against a stop-work policy. It is rumoured that a big meeting of miners is to be held at Huntly next Saturday, to decide on a course of action. THE MONOWAI WITHDRAWN. NO STEAMER NEXT WEEK. DUNEDIN, this day. On account of the coal crisis the Union Company has decided to withdraw the Monowai from the DuncdinEsist Coast-Auckland' service. On her arrival at Dunedin next Tuesday the vessel, will lay up at Port Chalmersindefinitely. There will probably be. no passenger steamer between North Island ports next' week.