THE MINERS DISPUTE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 95, 23 April 1901, Page 2

THE MINERS DISPUTE.

PROCEEDINGS AT WAIHI.

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)

WAIHI, this day.

! The Conciliation Board resumed sitting this morning at ten-o'clock. The hall was packed" from the start, Mr Potts, representing the Union. Robt. Loane deposed he was a carpenter employed at the Grand Junction mine, receiving 9/ per day, which he considered was not a fair living wage. Five j years ago he got 10/ per day at the I Silverton Company. lie had six chilS dren, aud did not think he could keep them without help from his family. Other carpenters wor. receiving 10/ in Waihi and at Hamilton. He was offered 10/ at the hitter place. • He had to work overtime at the same rate including Sunday. He did not think any extra overthue should be charged for ordinary days for short hours. : Companies could not do without Sunday work, bur should pay extra rate for it. He worked nine hours, per day including crib time, 47 hours' per week. The Waihi Company introduced these hours. By Mr Dm mm: He believed in the principle of eight hours a day. By the Board: Witness did not actually work more than eight hours. By Mr Barry: He was not a miner and did not work underground. Ho did not know what proportion of surface work was affected through the hours being shortened at the Waihi Company. To Mr Curtis: He considered 9/ per day not fair wages for a carpenter. He did not care for overtime.