NOT DELIBERATE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 159, 6 July 1940, Page 11

NOT DELIBERATE.

WEST COAST STRIKE.

"HAT OFF TO MINERS."

MINISTER'S EXPLANATION.

(By Telf'sr:— x>li. —Parliamentary l'.i :>rtor.)

WELLINGTON, this day.

The trouble on the west coast of the South Island with the coal miners was mentioned in the House of Representatives yesterday by the Minister of Mines, Mr. Webb. "At the moment there is a strike—-ft stoppage—not a deliberate strike as strikes go," he said. The Government knew the position and was wide awake to responsibility. There were many ways of adjusting the case. As far as the men were concerned they would compare in character and workmanship with any class of worker in any part of the world. In addition they were as loyal to their country as anyone else. Several officers of the union concerned had suffered a great deal as the result of tiie last war. and they felt that justice had not been done. ~'l think they are wrong," he continued, "and that their action is indefensible and not in keeping with union--1 ism or common sense." Every effort had been made to bring about a settlement. The Minister said iie had referreJ j the dispute to a committee of which Mr. O'Brien, the member for Westland, was chairman. "I am sorry for him because he lias always done his best for the miners," he continued, '"and I do not know of a man who has rendered greater service to them than has Jim O'Brien." Mr. Webb said the trouble would pass and there would be no ill-feeling left. It ill-became a member of the House to make political capital out of the trouble. He would see that justice was done. The men who were being criticised had extended their working hours from 40 to 44 a week in order that the country should have more coal. They had to go underground and risk their lives. As a class Mr. Webb said he took his hat off to the miners of the country.