WORKING CONDITIONS IN GOLDMINES

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22249, 13 November 1937, Page 23

WORKING CONDITIONS IN GOLDMINES

» —_ COURT HEARS END OF DISPUTE iraxss is»ociatiov telegram.) AUCKLAND, November 12. Sixteen goldmining companies in the Thames and Coromandel district were cited in a dispute heard in the Arbitration Court when the Thames Miners' Union applied for an award containing provision for higher wages and different conditions of work. A number of clauses had been agreed to in previous discussions, including one that the maximum number of hours a week should be 40. The Talisman Dubbo Goldmining Company was named as the principal respondent, Mr M. H. Wynward appearing on its behalf and for other companies. Mr J. Roberts represented the union. It was disputed whether the 40-hour week should be worked over five or six days, the companies claiming the right of Saturday work. The difficulty met with in mining in the Thames district as compared with other districts was claimed to give the men rights which had not been embodied in previous agreements and the dangerous nature of the workings was emphasised by a number of witnesses. Rupert Hounslow, a miner in the Talisman Dubbo mine, said the country about the mine was very rotten and the mining was dangerous, with accidents prevalent. At present 15 per cent, of the payroll was on accident pay. In some respects the mine was good because time was short. The parties agreed to put in their statements later to the Court. This concluded the hearing of the whole of the goldmining dispute, which occupied four days.