WORK AND WAGES

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 296, 11 June 1912, Page 5

WORK AND WAGES

THE REEFTON STRIKE. 1;., leiegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Monday. The Solicitor-General has advised Mr. Laurenson, in connection with the Reefton dispute, that there has been no breach of the Act or award by either side. The Labor Department has telegraphed to both parties that the best course would be to take' steps under clause 11 of the agreement, and to have the matter settled, under that. Reefton, Last Night. Matters re the strike trouble are very quiet. The decision of the Crown Law officers that the trouble is neither a lock-out nor a strike is very unpalatable here. Most of the men strongly favor arbitration, and it was hoped that the court would settle the dispute. The official section, so far as can be gathered, is not in favor of arbitration methods. Most of the married men have got work on the railway works, roads, and in other mines, but the weather has very seriously affected their earning capacity. Prospecting at Kirwan's Reward, Victoria range, lias been stopped by snow, and the men had to come in. A number of single men are in town, but not so many as might he expected. Things are very quiet indeed. AN UNOFFICIAL STRIKE. Auckland, Monday. The Northern Coal Company has been officially informed that the Federation of Labor declines to accept any responsibility or take any part in the coal strike at Hikurangi.