THE MINERS' DISPUTE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 147, 22 June 1901, Page 2

THE MINERS' DISPUTE.

BOARD'S AWARD REJECTED

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)

WAIHI, this day

A meeting of the Miners' Union was held last night re the Conciliation Board award in the miners' dispute. Reporters were excluded from the meeting. The following notice has been posted up on the Union Hall door: "Branch of the Thames Miners' Union have decided that on and after Monday, 24th inst., they will not tender for all mining contracts in Waihi, and request all members in particular, and all who hold Union principlesl dear, to refrain from tendering. The hearty co-operation of one and all is specially requested to assist the Union in obtaining a fair living wage for the district, and thus protect men who have hitherto been compelled through force of circumstances to work for less than a fair recompense."

A well attended meeting of the Karangahake Branch of the .Thames Miners' Union has unanimously decided to reject the Conciliation Board's award in the recent mining dispute.

The Executive Council of the Thames Miners' Union met yesterday afternoon. The question of whether or not the executive should accept, on behalf of the Union, the award'given by the Conciliation Board in connection with the recent miners' dispute, was considered at length. After the matter had beem fully discussed the executive decided that the onus of accepting or rejecting the award should be left to members of the

should be left to members, and for that purpose a meeting of the Union will be held on the evening of the 29th inst., for the purpose of appointing a day to take a ballot upon the question.

In discussing the finding of the Conciliation Court the Miners' Union sat for three hours. I understand that the Thames members were willing to accept the decision of the Court, holding that, it was a fair compromise, but the Waihi members thought otherwise as to the increase, owing to the difference in wages previously paid in the two districts. The rise is less in Waihi than the Thames. Tt is anticipated that the ballot will result in favour of the case being taken to the Arbitration Court.