MINING DISPUTE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 February 1940, Page 7

MINING DISPUTE

ELIMINATION OF STOPPAGES. SUPPLIES FROM AUSTRALIA. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, February 7. If a system of control, which will eliminate the losses and disorganisation involved in mining stoppages is not found in the Dominion, New Zealand may be forced to import coal from Australia. This opinion was expressed this evening by Mr C. C. Davis, chairman of Grey Valley Colleries which operate the Dobson mine. He said that he understood that his views were fully supported by the Brunner Collieries, which controlled the Wallsend Mine. "This strike has merely brought mat let's to a climax, for both the compart ies affected have for some time beer working at a loss’.’ said Mr Davis, re ferring to stoppages at Dobson and Wallsend mines.

"The position has been placed before ihe Minister for Mines and till he has had the opportunity to give it consideration there is little I can add tc reports already published. It is certain. however, I fear, that utilcss means can be devised to enable mines to pa) winding costs and to eliminate los. and disorganisation to the industry .hat follows stoppages such as this. New Zealand will have to revert to importation of Australian coal. Share holders in colliery companies cannot b< expected to continue running the mine: ai a loss indefinitely. A measure o. co-operation by the men themselves would go a very long way toward improving the position, and when this is forthcoming I have no doubt resumption of work will quickly follow.'