MINERS DEFENDED

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 181, 2 August 1944, Page 3

MINERS DEFENDED

ANSWER TO CRITICISM SHORTER DAY AFTER THE WAR (0.C.) WELLINGTON, Tuesday. A reply to criticism by Mr. Stronach Paterson, president of the Associated Chambers of Commerce, on the coal situation in the Dominion, was made by the Minister of Mines, Mr. Webb. "I feel sure that the people of New Zealand fully realise the justice of the claim for men working underground in mines to have a shorter working day than other sections of the working community," said Mr. Webb. "I have never said that during the period of the war and when coal is in relatively short supply hours of work should be reduced. On the contrary, I have asked the miners to work more during the war, and they have worked on their holidays and on one Saturday each fortnight in an effort to assist the country. "What I did say was that I would advance such a claim to take effect after the war and when the coal position warranted such a course being taken. If a seven-hour day bank-to-tank is eventually introduced in our coal mines it will be the responsibility and duty of the mine managers, loth of State and privately-owned mines, to see that men who fail to observe such hours are no longer retained in the industry.

"I notice that Mr. Paterson has indulged in some remarks on open-cast mining which are purely of a proVocative nature," said the Minister. "It is true there were some initial problems to overcome at Stockton, due to misunderstanding by the men, but there was never any lack of goodwill or desire on the part of all to make a success of the venture. We have reached a satisfactory solution of the problems at Stockton, and the job is now under way. Mr. Paterson's comment that any advantages which are gained from open-cast development will be cancelled out by concessions to underground miners has no foundation in fact."

Referring to the recent decision of the Coal Mines Council relating to working conditions in mines other than State, the Minister said that the only substantial variation was the provision for payment for holidays— nine in number in each year. The conditions in mines were lagging in this respect, and it was now accepted as a basic social principle that holidays should be paid for.

"Unfair Suggestion" "The great majority of the men working in our coal mines have a proper sense of social responsibility and it is unfair and unjust to suggest that they would reduce their outputs because of improved conditions,' added the Minister. "Their record of increased production since the war affords a complete answer to any such imputation. I would like to point out that there have been no. official strikes in the coal mines in this country since the war. There have been some unofficial stoppages of short duration, it is true, but in every instance the Miners' National Federation has been active in taking steps to terminate them and to substitute the logical and proper alternative of negotiation in disputes while work is proceeding. "I would draw Mr. Paterson's attention to these figures as to coal production since the outbreak of war: 1939, 2,342,639 tons; 1940, 2,516,099 tons; 1941, 2,639,507 tons; 1942, 2,680,041 tons; 1943, 2,787,868 tons. I anticipate a new record by the end of the year. I sincerely hope that with the development of the open-cast system sufficient coal will be won to meet all national requirements and enable the miners to enjoy the benefits of the machine."