ALL DISMISSED

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 64, 16 March 1944, Page 4

ALL DISMISSED

APPEALS FOR MINERS

OVER 250 MEN CONCERNED (P.A.) GREYMOUTH, this day. The Armed j Forces Appeal Board yesterday afternoon gave a reserved decision in the cases of military appeals for 257 men engaged in the Strongman and Liverpool Stale mines. The chairman of the hoard, Briga-dier-General W. Meldrum, stated that on February 23 all tne cases were adjourned to March 15 to give the reservists an opportunity of altering their go-slow policy. The board then intimated that if the results showed good work, the appeals would be adjourned sine die, otherwise they would be dismissed. The evidence that day showed that there was practically no alteration in the policy of the union, and that the go-slow had continued. Attendances had not been in accordance with requirements, and full time had not been worked. The board had no option, therefore, but to dismiss the appeals, including those of 24 men who had asked that their appeals be withdrawn to enable them to join the forces.

Attitude of Union The union president, Mr. George English, in a statement later, said that it had been the policy of the State Miners' Union over a number of years to discuss all problems and difficulties with the Minister of Mines, Mr. Webb, or the UnderSecretary of Mines, Mr. Benney, or both. They had found that system quite satisfactory to all parties. It was only when the dispute had arisen that compulsion was brought to force them to put their troubles through so - called constitutional channels. They were of the opinion that if Mr. Webb would fall into line with the usual practice adopted, quite a broad avenue would be opened for a settlement of the present dispute. Mr. Webb had expressed himself as personally willing to meet the union, but stated the Mine Workers' Federation was arrogating to itself the right to what it termed "disciplining of the State Miners' Union." This was resented by members of the union.

"We are satisfied that if Mr. Webb would meet us, and discuss our troubles with us, as he has always done in the past, a settlement would be achieved/' added Mr. English.

Men Remain Firm "The men are as firm In their attitude to-day as thev have been all along, and there is no reason to think that their courage or their faith in the justice of their demands will fail. The Under-Secretary for Mines saw us and appeared to have no further power than to chide us and tell us to put our case through constitutional channels. The attitude of the Minister of Manpower, Mr. McLagan, was similar. Statements broadcast about the high wages of State miners are definitely deceiving, the deductions being very high."