BAN LIFTED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 102, 2 May 1931, Page 12

BAN LIFTED.

ARAPUNI DEADLOCK. VISIT BY MINISTER. TUNNELLERS' DISPUTE DISCUSSED. The Minister of Public Works (Hon. W. B. Taverner) visited Arapuna yesterday and met a. representative deputation of men employed at the Arapuni hydroelectric works. •He discussed many questions j arising out of conditions at Arapuni,; particularly that of accomr modation and the hold-up caused by the trouble, with the tunnellers. The discussion was-friendly, and several minor matters were rectified. The Minister promised to look into the other matters later on. With • regard to the tunnellers, Mr. Taverner said he was'not prepared to allow his officers to enter into Jicgotiations with the men until the ban, which the union had placed on that portion of the work-declaring it "black," had been lifted. -If this were done, he said, proposals would be considered and the difficulties would be nearer settlement. Subsequently the deputation informed the Minister that the ban would be lifted. The Minister said that it would be now possible to discuss the matter further and. arrive at a settlement. In conclusion, he said that the lifting of the ban showed a good. spirit on the part of the men, and opened the way to negotiations. He expressed satisfaction at the general progre&s of the work, and said that it would be continued on Cabinet's recent decision in, regard to rates of pay. He foreshadowed an increase of staff during the coining winter. It was early yet to indicate when the station , would again be operating, but everything pointed to a rapid completion of some of the jobs during the coming summer. — I