GOLD MINERS STOP.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 October 1920, Page 4

GOLD MINERS STOP.

STRIKE ON THE WEST COAST NEW DRILLS NOT PROVIDED. By Ts,l»sr»l*.—Press Association. Greymouth, Last Night. Serious industrial trouble has arisen at tlic huuigahua goldfield, through the mining companies' failure to comply with the Mining Amendment Act, 1919, providing that after October* 1920, no drills shall be used in quartz mines other thau axial water feed drills, which alone prevent dust arising and causing the miner* to contract fatai miners' phthisis. Mr. Pagan,, secretary fo the' Miners' Union, siatcs that on October 1 last, not one water-feed drill was on the whole Inangahua goldfield, despite the companies having eleven months to pro' cure them, while the Wathi Company had procured a supply of water-feed drills as the law required. u\lr. Pagan also points out that the miners have waited thirteen days after October 2 for the Mines Department to take action against the companies to enforce the law requiring water-feed drills, but the Department will take no action despite the Minister last month stating that the companies could have no extension of the time wherein to provide water-feed drills.

Matters came to a head on Wednesday, when a largely attended stop-work meeting of miners, held at Waiuta, resolved to endorse the recommendation of the union executive as follows: "Thiit from ihis date (October 13) the members absolutely refuse to use any rook drill other than the water-feed type, and which is provided for under the Mining Amendment Act from October 1, 1920.

The following telegram which Mr Fagttn (secretary for the miners) to-day sent to Mr. Massey, Minister of Mines, explains the position: "Quite a grave position exists at Waiuta owing to a cqbjplete stoppage of mining operations due to non-coinpiiance of the employers with, the provisions in the Mining Act re installing water-feed rock drills. The nun waited for thirteen days, hoping your Department would take proceedings against the offending companies, and have now definitely ceased work rather than be placed in the position of lawbreakers. Over 200 men are thrown out of employment, mostly married men, including 40 Cornish miners here, most of whom are in straightened circumstftnoea. We respectfully submit that you should. enquire why it has been possible for the Waihi companies to instal over 40 of the new machines,,fully equipped, whilst tilt Roefton employers have, installed none. We would welcome an opportunity of placing our position before the Mint* Committee."