THE MINERS' HOLIDAY.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 169, 22 August 1914, Page 9

THE MINERS' HOLIDAY.

EXHORTED TO WORK. MEN PREFER THE DAY OFF. Press Association. WESTPORT, .August 22. The Denniston and Millerton coal miners have declined to accede to a - request by the Westport Coal Company--to work on the fortnightly Saturday half holiday, to accelerate the fulfilment of the Admiralty rush- of orderp. It is understood the men contend that the same result of improved output ■ - could be*achieved by the increase in the number of truckers, and other variaions of conditions and giving hewers • more tubs. The company- hotoever, cannot obtain any more of the latter than are at present employed. The Hon. W. F. Massev, in a message to the men, says it may be necessary tosend men. 'A very serious crisis ha»> come to the Empire, and therefore to-?> the Dominion. One of the immediate-.j consequences is that Westport. coal isvv urgently required for Imperial purposes.-::. He would therefore ask them, as loyaKand patriotic citizens, t« reconsider this matter and give \ip the usual holiday in order to cope with the emergency that has arisen. By doing so theywould materially assist, as New Zealanders, the carrying of the old flag once more to victory. He could assure . the men that if they complied 'vvith the request, their action would be greatly appreciated, not only in their own country, but in the heart of the Empire itself.

The coal miners last night reaffirmed their decision not to work to-day/pay-Saturday holiday.