THE PUKEMIRO POSITION.

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 235, 1 October 1920, Page 2

THE PUKEMIRO POSITION.

BOTH SIDES FIRM. MINE MAY BE DECLARED^" BLACK." There is little real casemfnt of the coal famine here in Auckland, for none of the black fuel is yet in sight from Westport lor Newcastle, or from anywhere else in fact but the Waikato, where work in the Taupiri mines proceeds normally, with a fair output. But Pukemiro is still idle. land Mr. J. O'Brien, the North Island representative of the New Zealand Coal Miners' Federation executive, has hinted I tho possibility of this mine being ! declared "black." The position of affairs I there shows little alteration since yesI terday. The company holds to its | demands for a clause giving the enginej drivers the option of being members of | other besides the miners' union, and the I Pukemiro Minora' Union has refused the I demand by a large majority. Mr. O'Brien 'States that three of the enginedrivers : were present at the meeting, and, when asked whether they desired to remain members of the union, they replied that they would abide by the decision of the whole union. A secret ballot was taken, and the vote went overwhelmingly against the drivers' secession. I The statement of Mr. Artmckle, secrej.tary of the C'nalraiiiers' Federation, to the effect that the companies had ffoutcd the national agreement, is answered by 'the Pukemiro Company this morning. A j clause in the agreement, which became joperntive at the beginning of April, I reads: '"It is agreed by botli parties to the above proposals that no strikes, lockout, or go-slow, or any unnecessary stoppage of work shall take place until the matter or matters in dispute have been dealt with as -provided above" (by reference to the National Disputes Committee). The company asks who has been floutinc this clause, and points out that since the* agreement came into operation six months ago the Pukemiro minors had lost ten days by strikes and strvpwork meetings, and had operated one gos\o\v, prior to September 6. when the present trouble began. The company referred also to clause 29 of the agreement, which provides that no workman shall absent himself, except through accijdenf. or sickness, for more than two clays I without notifying the mina manager, otherwise he may be replaced. The company lias no intention of operating this clause, but it is determined to hold to the demand for a clause for a separation of the enginedrivers from the miners' union, on the grounds that at present the mine itself is always liable, to damage when the miners cease work. It is further stated that the enginedrivers in the employ of the Taupiri Company are not members of the miners' union. I "