LABOUR TROUBLES.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 119, 20 May 1912, Page 3

LABOUR TROUBLES.

WAIHI AND REEFTON MINES BITTER FEELING. fBT TILEORAfrH — PHEBS ASSOCIATION.] REEFTON, 19th May. The mining trouble at the Consolidated Group has assumed serious proportions. Almost all those 011 shift yesterday at the Energetic mine who were asked to work the poppers single handed refused, and were givsn their time. Some men were actually at the face and had to return to tHe shaft. The same condition of things exists at Bkekwater and the Globe mine. The Inangahua Miners' Union at a meeting last night decided to abide by the Arbitration Court award, confident they are in the right. Each man was inBtructed, if nob yet dismissed, to go to work to-morrow as usual, and be dismissed for not working the popper. The task asked by the companies is considered to interfere with the Arbitration Court award, and the men will appeal to the law of the land. The men dismissed from the Energetic mine yesterday marched in mock military order, singing; but the full gravity of the position is fully recognised. • The Keep-it-Dark mine is not affected. Two men there are still working the popper. Poppers are not in vogue at Big Biver, Other small mines are not affected. Rumour states that a few men, not abiding by tho decision of the union, will not turn up. The men are behaving very admirably, but there is bitter feeling against ihe Consolidated group of mines. It is generally conceded that the present lot of men are practical skilled miners, and that the output of the mines was never better per man. The men feel it very sorely that when they worked for the company on day wages, through the contract difficulty, the company should thus treat them. They were unsympathetic with the Waihi strike, as far as 16 known, and had no trouble with the company. The difficulty that has now arisen was expected to take place sooner or later, but nevertheless it came like a bolt from the blue. Prospecting ventures will take a few men, but the majority will suffer greatly. It is calculated that 180 miners have been dismissed at these mines, and more dismissals are expected to-morrow. All of the men out of employment are a splendid class of men.