MINE STOPPAGES

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 80, 5 April 1943, Page 4

MINE STOPPAGES

DISPUTE IN NORTH

DOCTOR'S SHIFT THE CAUSE

(0.C.) WHANGAREI, this day. Coal production estimated at 360 tons was lost to-day when the Kamo collieries and the Hikurangi Coal Company's mine were idle. Employees of Wilsons (N.Z.) Portland Cement limestone quarry at Waro also notified that they would not report for duty after midday. The cause of the dispute is the removal of Dr. D. Armstrong from Hikurangi, where he had been in practice for a considerable time, to Whangarei, where he commenced a new practice to-day. Thus, for the first time for many years, Hikurangi and the wide district of which it is the centre, is without the services of a residential medical practitioner. A suggestion that an army doctor in the district be released for service in Hikurangi was presented by the Hikurangi Town Board. Negotiations with the member for the district, Mr. Barclay, were instituted a month ago, and the position was placed before the Minister of Labour, Mr. Webb, and the Minister of Health, Mr. Nordmeyer, on their recent visits to the district. Representatives of the men informed Mr. Webb last week that unless a resident practitioner was furnished a stoppage of work would ensue. Mr. Nordmeyer promised to investigate the possibility of obtaining an alternative doctor. The men are holding a mass meeting at Hikurangi this afternoon. Business in Hikurangi was normal to-day. A report received at 2 o'clock said that although large numbers were assembling for this afternoon's meeting, there were no signs of excitement, and everything was under control. It is anticipated that the meeting will be open to the Press.