"OUTCAST" UNION

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22590, 21 December 1938, Page 7

"OUTCAST" UNION

APPLICATION FOR AWARD

HEARING BY COURT OF ARBITRATION

[THE PRESS Special Servlce.l GREYMOUTH, December 20. Described by its advocate as "outcasts" in the industrial organisation of miners, the Burke's Creek Coal Miners' Industrial Union (Reefton) made application to the Court of Arbitration at Greymouth to-day for an award, before Mr J. A. Gilmour, S.M. Mr A. McLagan (secretary of the United Mine Workers' of New Zealand) represented the union, and Mr C. Buist, manager, represented the Burke's Creek Collieries, Ltd. There were certain unusual features about the application, Mr McLagan said. For some time the union had been in the nature of an "outcast" body, and had not received recognition from any of the regular industrial organisations. That fact contributed to the difficulty about making an award or agreement and the men were still working under an agreement which had been made in 1926. The parties had met on several occasions to make new terms, but had been unable to agree on daily wage rates, piece-work rates, hours of work, and paid holidays, and the Court was now asked to settle these matters. The men asked for the payment of standard coal mine rates because to-day they were being paid 15 per cent. less. A 40-hour week | was also asked for, which was what was being worked in all other mines in the Dominion. Standard holidays as provided in other awards were also sought. It must be 10 or 15 years, the Magistrate said, since a coal-mining dispute had been taken to the Court of Arbitration. In his opinion, the case was one which should be settled by the parties. "We have made every endeavour to come to an agreement," Mr McLagan replied, "but unfortunately we have been unable to do so." It was admitted by the union that the delay in securing an agreement was not the fault of the employing company. After a number of witnesses had been called for the union, Mr Buist submitted details of the employers' counter-proposals which provided for an increase of 10 per cent, in the rates of payment provided for in the existing Reefton agreement. The company held that the men should work 11 days every fortnight, during the winter season from April 1 to September 30, and 10 days every fortnight during the summer. The rigid adoption of the 40-hour week at the Burke Creek mine with its seasonal trade and shortage of labour was not practicable. The union's request for a holiday on May Day was also opposed. Evidence in support of the counterproposals was given by two witnesses. Decision was reserved, the Magis- ' trate saying that he would reach a decision as soon as possible. •

lapse. If there did happen to be a defect in a vital part, that would also account for the lorry falling through. His examination revealed no such defect. He could find no wheel marks within 30 feet of the bridge, but there was a mark within 60ft.

To Dr. Foden: If the lorry got on to the bridge, and the back of the vehicle struck the main strut, it might dislodge it. a Major R. S. Park said the artillerymen were under the orders of Bombadier Autridge on the day in question. He had had something to do with the investigation of the accident from the staff point of view. He agreed that to embark upon theories as to what caused the collapse of the bridge would involve a theoretical and technical inquiry. To the Coroner witness said the men were on a day's holiday, with the exception of the driver and the bombardier. The men on the lorry were subject to military law.

Dr. Foden said that the cause of the collapse of the bridge did not come within the scope of a coronial inquiry. The Public Works Department and the military authorities were looking into the technical side. There was no suggestion of criminal neglect on the part of the driver. The Coroner returned a verdict that Gunners Colwill and Bourke died from drowning, and that Davidson met his death from injuries received when he was pinned down by the lorry, and that Moore died in the public Hospital, Taihape, from injuries suffered in the accident.

The Coroner complimented the police, medical practitioners, the 'hospital staff, and others who assisted at the time of the tragedy. He expressed sympathy with the relatives of the victims.

Major Parks, on behalf of the military authorities, thanked all those who had rendered assistance.