WAIHI DISPUTE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 118, 21 May 1934, Page 9

WAIHI DISPUTE.

BALLOT TO BE TAKEN. OUTLINE OF PROPOSALS. MEMBERS' ORDERLY MEETING. {By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)WAIHI, this day. A general meeting of the Ohinemuri Mines and Batteries Union was held in the Academy Theatre yesterday morning to consider the assessors' report from the .conference with mine owners, which was held before the conciliation commissioner, Mr. P. Hally, relative to a new industrial .agreement.

There was a very large-attendance of members, including Golden Dawn mine workers at Owharoa and men employed at the Waihi Company's Victoria Batterv at Waikino.

Mr. E. Dye, president, acted ae chairman, and the meeting throughput was well conducted and orderly. In opening the proceedings the chairman said that it was the duty of every member to give serious consideration to the assessors' report, as it concerned the welfare of all. He stated that Mr. J. Roberts, the union's advocate, would present the principal report, but other delegates would answer questions or submit individual reports if neeeesary. Mr. Roberts submitted a lengthy report and also the terms of. the tentative agreement which had been reached. The proposals were: — (1) That a flat increase in wages of 1/4 per fihift be made. (2) That 8d of this amount be added to the schedule of rates and 8d be paid by way of a bonus quarterly to day workers, the.=e pavments to be retroepeptive as from March 19 last. (3) That in the ca.se of the Golden Dawn mine an increase in wages of 8d per shift be made, subject to the proviso that the question of wagee misrht be reopened bv the union after a period of three months. After prolonged discussion it was decided to take a secret ballot of members on the proposals submitted, the ballot to he taken at the shaft heads and at the Waikino Battery to-morrow in order to obtain an expression of the opinions of all members of the union. At the conclusion of the meeting a motion of thanks and confidence was passed to the advocate, Mr. J. Roberts, and the assessors who conducted the case.