THE STRIKE AT OTIRA.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 174, 27 August 1909, Page 2

THE STRIKE AT OTIRA.

| EFFORTS AT CONCILIATION. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Christchurch, Thursday. Mr. P. llally, Conciliation Commissioner for Welling wot. ..ail the West Const, arrived in Christchurch from Duucdiu last evening, and will proceed to Otira to endeavour to effect a settlement of the difficulty that has arisen in connection with the tunnel construction works. lie will probably leave Cliristehurch on Saturday, when he will be accompanied by Mr. \V. 11. Nagger, representative in Christchurch of the Labour Department. Mr. M'l.ean was expected to arrive from Wellington this morning, Imt ailviee was received this afternoon that he would not arrive until Friday. The Labour Department officials will probably wait until his arrival before proceeding to the works.

'} MK. M'LEAX'S l-XPLANATJOX. Wellington, August 2fi. Keplying to the manifesto of the Inangahua Miners' Union, Mr. Murdoch M'Lcan, interviewed. <■! ahntMl tint his linn hnil fullv complied with lit" conditions of tho Public Contracts. Am. T!r> Miners' T T iion award only referred to four lt »ltl mining companies, besides which the linn was laying the men higher wages than those fixed bv the award. Anyway, the Miners 3 Union award had no relation to work undertaken bv tile firm. Tunnelling was special work requiring special experiences. The tirm was fully complying with the provisions of > the award under which the work was' being carried out. lie also urged that the Truck Act enabled employers to supply appliances and tools. N'o scheme had yet been devised bv which working faces I'ouhl he lighted by electricity. It was only reasonable to ask the men to protect the linn's-property. A large number of lamps hud been lost through th ( . carelessness of the 'men. Regarding the eight hour shifts on Saturday and Monday, hp said the firm, had no objection to the men working seven hours, but in view of the high rate of wages, it was unreasonable to H«k that they should be paid for an hour not worked. Tt seemed absurd to submit the matters In dispute to the Conciliation Commissioner, seeing that the men put themselves nut of court by committing n breach of the award. lie believd the trouble mainly had been caeM>d U«- a few v.nion men and agistors. If n free vote had been taken he felt confident there would not have been anv trouble.