UNPATRIOTIC MINERS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 80, 24 August 1914, Page 2

UNPATRIOTIC MINERS.

WILL NOT OBLIGE THE ADMIRALTY. By Telegraph.—Press Association. "Westport, Saturday. The Denniston and Millerton coal miners have declined to accede to the request of the Westport Coal Company to work on the fortnightly Saturday pay holiday to accelerate" the fulfilment of Admiralty rush orders. It is understood the men contend that the same result of an improved output coukVbe achieved by an increase in the number of truckers and other variations of- the conditions, giving hewers more tuba. The company, however, eannot obtain any more of the latter than are at present employed. Mr Massey, in a message to the men, says: "I may be permitted to say, men, that a very, serious crisis has come to the Empire, and therefore to the Dominion. One of the immediate consequences is that Westport coal is urgently required for Imperial purposes, and ( would therefore ask you, as loyal patriotic citizens, to reconsider this matter and give up the usual holiday in order to cope with the emergency that has arisen. By doing so you will materially assist as New Zealanders in carrying the old flag once more to victory. I can assure the men that if they comply with, the request their action would be greatly appreciated, not only in our own countyr, but in the heart of the Empire itself." Westport, later. I The coal miners last night re-aflirmed "lieir decision not to work to-day, the pay Saturday holiday.