PUKEMIRO MINE IDLE

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22367, 2 April 1938, Page 16

PUKEMIRO MINE IDLE

MINISTER’S COMMENT ; ON DISPUTES “ SENSELESS PIN-PRICKING AND STRIKES ” THREAT OF “ GOVERNMENT ■ ACTION - . fPE*S3 ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) HAMILTON, April 1. A dispute arose at the- Pukemiro mine this morning, oyer a disagreement between the deputy-manager and a trucker, and. the men djd not-go to work to-day.. Questioned about the stoppage, the Hon. P. C. Webb, Minister for Mines, said that he had cancelled all other engagements to investigate the matter, as he was determined ;to leave no stone unturned to have matters in the Waikato coal industry straightened out completely. Speaking, at Pukemiro last evening, Mr Webb said that he was doing his best to have a balanced trade throughout the year by asking the Minister for Railways to stock up as much coal as possible in the summer, and he had appealed to users of steam coal also to stock up supplies; wnen the demand for screen coal was at its height. He said that there were orders for all coal under offer at the moment, and if the- mines could not oversupply the market in the summer there was a distinct' possibility of a shortage in the winter, and-an organised scheme of production was only possible when companies and ‘miners co-operated to produce the coal.

“I want to say definitely to the companies and the miners in the Waikato that unless they stop this senseless pin-pricking and strikes, I will have no .alternative than to advise the Government that the Huntly fields cannot be oh to supply the coal needs- of, the-Waikato.” added the Minister.- “If such a tragedy should take place; those, responsible will have only thetpsplves to. blame, p ecause tp e Government is determined that coal will he /provided to keep -industries going and/firesides, burning.” The' Minister said that if they could not get coal in the Waikato they would have to get.it elsewhere. He .made a strong appeal to the miners not to re ®s&39.' .-any, strike,. no matter how sertous the dispute was, without consulting:' the local disputes cotnmittee. Once an agreement was made, it must be honoured, and wreckers, whether they -.fee, miners or , mine owners, could expect nothing but 100 per cent, opposition from the Government.