SHAG POINT MINE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 49, Issue 201, 11 June 1929, Page 6

SHAG POINT MINE

WHY IT WAS CLOSED. STATEMENT BY AIR BISHOP. (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, June 10. In a lengthy statement, Air T. O. Bishop (secretary of the Now Zealand Coalmine Owners’ Association) joins issue with Air A. AlcLagan (representative of the United. Mine Workers’ of New Zealand) concerning the latter’s statements in an interview with the Hon. W. A. Veitcli (Alinister of Alines and Labour) in connection with the closing of tiie Shag Point colliery. Air AlcLagan’s statement that the company ought to impose a reduction of 10 per cent, in wages, and when the men declined to accept, notice was served on them of intention to close down the mine, was incorrect, said Mr Bishop. The position was that for the past two years the company had been losing two shillings per ton on all coal produced and sold. As the agreement was falling due on April 4, tne company sought, two months before, to obtain tne men’s consent to a ndfcr award with rates of wages reduced, totalling about 5 per cent, to enable tne mine to carry on. The union refused, stating that tney, too, were seeking an award, but for increased wages. The union also refused the company’s offer to pay a chartered accountant employed by the union itself to examine the company’s books, and see the actual position. An alternative offer by the company.' to hand the mine over to the men, to be worked by them under the supervision of the company’s manager, on some cp-partnerskip basis, was also refused by Mr AlcLagan. The Aimers’ Union also refused a discussion for a working basis unless the mine, which was closed down on Alarcli 28, was unconditionally re-opened. The company’s terms would have given truckers 16s a day and piecerate workers an opportunity of earning not less than £1 a day, with a guaranteed minimum of 18s a day. Air AlcLagan’s proposal was that tire company should join him in asking the Government to pay more for coal supplied to the railways. The company refused unless the miners were prepared to help the industry by accepting somie reduction. Further suggestions by the company, ■ involving a slight reduction in wages to allow the mine to pay/ its way, have not been accepted by the union.

Air Bishop concludes 'by saying that these 80 men are on the unemployment market as the effect of Air AlcLagan’s own attitude toward the company’s reasonable proposals.