LABOR TROUBLE.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 October 1920, Page 5

LABOR TROUBLE.

WELLINGTON DEADLOCK, TWENTY VESSELS NOW IDLE, By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Oct. J, There was no change in the position on the waterfront to-day. No boats that have arrived since midday on Tuesday have been worked, with the exception of the Lyttelton ferry boats. Twenty vessels are now idle, and 800 watorsiders are unemployed. A peculiar development occurred this morning. Yesterday the men working the Port Alma took a ballot when rain fell heavily, and decided to knock off. They were immediately discharged. This morning they were recalled for work on the same boat, and every one accepted employment. They thus accepted work under the same conditions as the Calm men refused it. A CONFIDENTIAL REPORT. NOT FOR ENEMIES TO SEE. Wellington, Last Night. In the House of Representatives this afternoon, replying to Mr. D. G. Sullivan (Avon), the Hon. Sir William Herries (Minister of Labor) said he had received from the Crown Law officers a report on the recent stoppage of work on the Wellington wharves, but the report was confidential in character, and he did not desire to disclose its contents to enemies of the country. Mr. Sulilvan, with evident concern, asked if the Minister referred to hiro| as one qf the enemies of the country. Sir William Herries hastened to assure him that he did not. He regarded him (Mr. Sullivan) as a most honorable gentleman, and as one whom he was sure would always be loyal to the j j country, but there were people who were not loyal, and who would be very glad to have the information contained in the repoTt. Mr. H. E. Holland (Buller) t Do yon refer to the Labor movement? The Minister did not reply. THE COAL POSITION. THE PUKEMIRO TROUBLE. HOPE OF A SETTLEMENT. Auckland, Last Night. I Mr. P. Hally, who has been visiting Auckland, was at Pukemiro unofficially t»day. He states that front information in his possession, although coming from only one of the parties to the dispute, he is of opinion that the prospects of the difficulties being overcome ara encouraging. QUESTION OF PRINCIPLE. WHY PUKEMIRO IS IDLE, Auckland, Last Night. Work in the Taupiri mines proceeds normally with a fair output, but Pukemiro is still idle, and Mr. J. O'Brien, North Island representative of the New Zealand Coal Miners' Federation Executive, has hinted at the possibility of fbis mine being declared black. The position of affairs there shows little alteration since yesterday. The company holds to its demands for a j clause giving engine drivers the option 3of being members of other, besides the < Miners' Union, and the Pukemiro Miners' Union has refused the demand by a large majority. , Mr. O'Brien states that three of the' engine drivers were present at the j meeting, and when asked whether they desired to remain members of the Union they replied that they would, abide by the decision of the whole union. A second ballot was taken, and the votes Went overwhelmingly against the j miners' secession. The statement of Mr. Arbuckle, sec-1 retary of the Coal Miners' Federation, to the effect that the companies had flouted the national agreement, was an- j ewered by the Pukomiro Company this] morning. A clause in the agreement which became operative at the beginning of April reads: "It is agreed by both parties to the above proposals, that no strikes, lock-outs or go-slow, or any unnecessary stoppage of work, shall take place until the matter, or matters, in dispute have been dealt with 89 provided, above" (by reference to the National Disputes Committee). The company asks who has been flouting this clause, and points out that since the agreement came into operation six months ago the Pukemiro miners had lost ten days by strikes and stop workmeetings, and had operated one go-slow prior to September b", when the present trouble began. The company referred also to clause 28 of the agreement, which provides that no workman shall absent liTmself, except through accident or sickness, for more than two days without notifying the mine manager, otherwise, he may be replaced. The company has no intention of operating this clause, but it is determined to hold to the demand for a clause for a separation of the engine drivers from the Miners' Union, on the grounds that at present the mine itself ig_ always liable to damage when the miners cease work. It is further stated that the engine drivers in the employ of the Taupiri Company are not Btejabers of the Miners' Union.