WORK HELD UP

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 April 1938, Page 6

WORK HELD UP

DISPUTE AT COAL MINE MINISTER TO INQUIRE By Telegraph—Press Association. HAMILTON, April 1

A dispute arose at the Pukemiro mine this morning over a disagreement between the deputy-manager and a trucker, and the men did not go to work today. Questioned regarding the stoppage, the Minister of Mines, the Hon P. C. Webb, said that he had cancelled all other engagements to investigate the matter, as he was determined to leave no stone unturned to have industrial matters in the Waikato coal industry straightened out completely. Speaking at Pukemiro last evening, Mr Webb said he was doing his best to have a balanced trade throughout the year by asking the Minister of Railways to stock up as much coal as possible in the summer, and he had appealed to users of steam coal also to stock up supplies. He said there were orders for all coal under offer at the moment, and if the mines could not over-supply the market in the summer, there was a distinct possibility of a shortage in the winter, and an organised scheme of production was possible only when companies and miners co-operated to produce coal. “I want to say definitely to the companies and the miners in the Waikato that unless they stop this senseless pinpricking and strikes I will have .no alternative other than to advise the Government that the Huntly fields cannot be depended on to supply the coal needs of the Waikato,” added the Minister. “If such a tragedy should take place those responsible will have only themselves to blame because the Government is determined that coal will be provided to keep industries going and firesides burning.” The Minister said that if they could not get coal in the Waikato they would have to get it elsewhere. He made a strong appeal to miners not to resort to any strike, no matter how serious the dispute was, without consulting the local disputes committee. Once an agreement was made it must be honoured and the wreckers, whether they be miners or mine owners, could expect nothing but 100 per cent opposition from the Government.