"END TROUBLE"

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 64, 16 March 1944, Page 6

"END TROUBLE"

MINISTER'S APPEAL

GO-SLOW BY STATE .MINERS

(By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. Interviewed to-day concerning the statement made by Mr. G. English as to the reason why he did not proceed to discuss matters in dispute in the State mines at the request of the State Miners' Union, the Minister of Mines, Mr. Webb, said that the whole question in dispute was first a matter for the Mine Workers' Federation.

"The federation has handled this dispute in keeping with its constitution. When Mr. English invited me down, I emphasised that I would be very pleased to go, conditional upon the men resuming normal production. I was in no way influenced not to go by .the Mine Workers' Federation. The first thing the State Mines Department heard of the men going siow was after the union had put it into operation, and a goslow policy is. in law, a strike. 1 regret very much that the men did not resume normal production as I would have been pleased to have proceeded to the West Coast forthwith. I have always had the greatest admiration for the work the men have done at Runanga, and I appreciate their long hours from early morning until late at night. I have always done everything I possiblv could to improve their conditions, both in respect to housing and other amenities. Proud of New Zealand Miners "When in Australia recently I felt very proud of the great work the miners of New Zealand have done, and I deeply regret that the men at Runanga cannot fall into line. If any matters affecting the mines are brought up in the proper constitutional manner, I am always agreeable to have them attended to in keeping with the miners' organisation, but I do not feel justified in discussing the matter with the union while the men are virtually on strike, and I have previously expressed this to Mr. English.

"I would again strongly urge the State Miners' Union to end this trouble by complying with the law and making their representations without striking, and if they do that every element of complaint will be investigated. 1 regret too that so many young miners, who are so urgently needed in the mines, have been ordered into camp, but it must be obvious that, if men who receive protection will not comply with the conditions, namely, that of doing the work for which they have been exempted from military service, then they have only themselves to blame for the position that has arisen. I most earnestly appeal to the miners to resume normal production, and then have the whole matter investigated. Should that be done, I would not hesitate, in fact, I would be pleased, to confer with the union to try and rectify matters." "(Mr. English's statement appears on the Leader Page.)