MINERS' STRIKE.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 April 1917, Page 5

MINERS' STRIKE.

THE K GO-SLOW" POLICY. STATEMENT BY MR. P. C. WEBB. (By Telegraph.—Special to Daily News). Wellington, April 8. Mr. P. C. Webb, -M.P. for Grey, says the strike position is not improving. In fact, it may soon spread to all other labor unions, and cause a general sympathetic strike throughout the Dominion. Speaking to your representative!, he said: ''The men arrested at the State '•ollieries in my district are accused of participating in a strike, deemed to be serious under the War Regulations passed iu June last, dealing with the 'goslow' policy as to output. Now, the facts are that till now since the war started there have been no miners' strike in New Zealand. Last year, witlr thirteen per cent, less men, the output was thirty per cent, better than the previous year, and actually a world's record. The 'go-slow' policy was simply a protest by the men, as they could not get their grievances properly considered. On being' offered a war bonus thev replied that they did not want it, but simply certain improvements in the working conditions, and they asked for a conference with the owners. This the owners refusedl. stating that the men could apply to the Arbitration Court, but the men say it .was no use appearing before that body, whose previous awards show absolute ignorance of technicalities of mining and working conditions. They therefore decided on' a 'go-slow' policy, but even now only those on easy country are 'going slow.' Those on difficult patches still have to work 'all out' to make a decent wage with which to face the decrease of seven shillings in ,tha purchasing valtia of every joun<l,"