MINISTER REMAINS FIRM.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 158, 5 July 1940, Page 3

MINISTER REMAINS FIRM.

RESUMPTION OF WORK URGED

(From Our Correspondent.)

WELLINGTON, Thursday.

The fact that he had no intention of deviating from the stand he had taken over the dispute with the State Miners' Union on the West Coast was mentioned to-night by the Minister of Mines, the Hon. P. C. Webb. No negotiations have taken place between the miners and the Government since Tuesday afternoon.

"I was amazed at the statement of Mr. English, the president of the union, that I had broken a gentlemen's agreement, in that he alleged I had rushed to the Press with a statement before the dispute was settled," said Mr. Webb. "The dispute .was already settled and the decision given before I made a statement, I wholeheartedly concurred with the decision because it was in keeping with all the evidence I had read.

"The State miners decided to go on fctrike and to turn down the earnest appeal of the Prime Minister to resume work pending a further investigation, which the Prime Minister promised would be made in his own office. Mr. Fraser also undertook to pay the expenses of a delegation to Wellington to place the matter before him, provided that the miners resumed work.

"When this appeal was turned down I had no alternative to stating the fact es supplied to me. I said then, and I repeat it now, that I am confident that the State miners as a body cannot eoncur with the tactics now being adopted," added Mr. Webb. "I earnestly appeal to the officers and men to realise the seriousness of the position which the Government is now facing and to respond to the Government's appeal to resume work."