THE COAL HOLDUP.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17882, 1 October 1923, Page 8

THE COAL HOLDUP.

WORK AVAILABLE UNDER AWARD.

(STBCm. TO "XHB PMSS.") WELLINGTON, September 29C With reference to the ooal mining dispute on the "West Coast, Mr T. O. Bishop, secretary of the Mino Owners' Association, Wellington, makes the following statement : "It is ridiculous for the union leaders to claim that there ia a lock-out, as work is available at all mines under the terms of the Arbitration Court's award, and miners can earn higher wages than any other workers whenever they care to resume."

THE MEN'S EARNINGS.

(PBEB9 ASSOCIATION TELIGHAM.)

■WELLINGTON, September 29,

Tho employers state that tho earnings of tho West Coast miners at four of th© mines affected for six months prior to the stoppage were:— Miilerton, £2 3s lid daily net; Dennisto«j £1 2s l»d j 7s &id : Paparoa, £1 11b OR Mr T. 0." Bishop states that tliere ia no obstacle to the men returning to work' on Monday, provided that they are willing to work under the existing arbitration award.

DEVELOPMENTS EXPECTED

ATTITUDE OF STATE MINERS.

(w»cui, to "ran mn.") GREYMOUTH, September 30.

At a meeting of the Rewanui branch of the State Miners' Union, addressed by Mr W. Balderstone, secretary of the Miners' West Const District Council, it was unanimously decided to institute a levy of 10 per cent, on wages earned, for the support of the wives and families of the miners who are idle. Here was an attendance of 46 at the meeting, and the voting in the Runanga branch was i&i to 17 against a levy. Thus tie aggregate vote of the two branohea of the. State Miners' Union shows a majority of ono in favour of the levy aa against the proposed voluntary weekly payment. It is felt locally that a change will shortly come over the situation, and the rumoured move by the coal owners is awaited with interest in all circles. It is known that some of the mien have been approached toi return. A minority who were overruled favoured a "down tools" policy at the Rewanui meeting. Should some of those who voted against the levy at the State mines refuse to •pay it, the possibility of a strike among the militant section will become a real one, particularly as the Rewwnui members of the Union have never been loth to disregard the decisions of the Runanga members. A rumour is current that J»h© Goal, Owners' Association has decided to open the mines in a _ week or so. with volun-. teer labour. List's of prospective workmen are said to be under preparation, and the rumour is gtrengtehened by a significant statement by Mr T. O. Bishop, secretary of the Association, that the mines are open to thcee willing to return on Monday. At a meeting of the executive of the Timber Workers' Union, yesterday, it was decided to vote the sum of £lO towards the fund for the relief of the. miners' families. A resolution was also passed to circularise all members for assistance, and to invite the miners' representatives to address meetings of the timber workers.

The Westland Engine-drivers' Union decided to pay 5 per cent, of the members' wages towards the upkeep of those in the Engine-drivers'' Union thrown out of work by the stoppage.

CHRISTCHURCH LABOUR

RESOLUTIONS.

A special meeting of the Canterbury Trades and Labour Council held on Saturday night endorsed an appeal for moral and financial assistance to the wives and families of the West Coast miners. The -following resolution was carried at a meeting of the North Canterbury Labour Representation Committee at a meeting held on Saturday evening:— "The Christchurch LJ&.C. in .supporting the miners on the Coast, points out that as a section of the New Zealand Labour Party, it sees no satisfactory solution of the mining problems short of its own remedy which is based on the communal .ownership and control of the mines."