WORK AND WAGES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 177, 31 August 1909, Page 2

WORK AND WAGES.

SLACKNESS IN COAL INDUSTRY. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Westport, Monday. The action of the Westport Coal Co. i n discharging 200 men from the Gramty Creek miue owing to the slackness ;ii the demand for coal, is causing much local agitation, especially in view of the tact that the Government is importing Newcastle coal in Melbourne-owned steamers for use on the railways. Amongst the reasons for the lessened demand "are mentioned—good winter :ii Canterbury, the shutting down of freezers, the laying-up of ten Union Company's boats, competition of Newcastle coal, competition of Waikato coal via the North Island Main Trunk line, and a general dullness of trade. Importation of coal by the Government is a particularly sore point. The Stockton Miners' Union passed a resolution deploring the Government's action. Mr. lionavne, in reply to Mr. Colvin, M.P., said lie was taking all the suitab'e coal offering, but the Westport Coal Companr could not supply orders. A public meeting at Westport rcsolved: "That the importation of Australian coal into the Dominion is increasing; tlrn-t the railways arc large purchasers of imported eoal; that mines in the die-1

trict are working at a reduced output owing to the scarcity of orders; that the Westport Coal Company finds necessary to give 250 miners notice to quit, and urges on the Cabinet the necessity of making a full enquiry into this undesirable state of •affairs, and if need be to introduce legislation /to ensure the regular, systematic working of the Dominion's own coal measures."

OTIRA TROUBLE SETTLED. Christehurcli, Last Night. The Otira. tunnel dispute has been settled. A conference sat yesterday to. six hours, and came to an amicable settlement. Those present were Messrs Holly (Conciliation Commissioner), Murdoch McLean. W. H. Gavin (engineer in charge), W. Williams (secretary to the company),Betts and Pagan (Union delegates) and W. H. Hnggar (representative of the Labor Department). The parties to the dispute accept the recommendation from the ConeiliatioT Commissioner to the. effect that the Union would undertake to indemnify employers for any wilful damage or loss that might occur in connection with the company's lamps so far as members of the Union were concerned. The contractors agreed to provide Goz. of cirbide per shift, or equal to 21b 4oz for the week. The men will take the lamps (which are numbered) to their huts, but will do the re-filling at the tunnel. In regard to short shifts on Saturday and Monday that question has been referred to the Arbitration Court, through the Inspector of Factories, for interpretation of the legal position. In the meantime both parties have been requested to furnish statements of fact in regard to this matter for the information of the Court.

THE ARBITRATION COURT. InveTcargill, Last Night. The Southland Employers' Association has resolved to support Mr. W. Scott's candidature for the vacant position o* the employers' representative oa the Arbitration Court.