COAL FOR SIX WEEKS

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23743, 15 September 1942, Page 4

COAL FOR SIX WEEKS

NORTH ISLAND STOCKS RAILWAYS MINISTER’S STATEMENT (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Sept. U. In a statement issued to Waikato miners on Sunday, it was revealed that there was one week’s supply of New Zealand coal and five weeks’ supply of Newcastle coal in the North Island. It was also said that the strike, if continued, would risk- immobilising the defence forces to a great degree. The Minister of Railways (the Hon. R. Semple) said to-night that this statement had had no effect on the miners. The men had ignored facts and violated every principle of unionism. By doing this they had placed themselves outside the pale of unionism, played into the hands of the Japanese, • treated the Government’s appeal to reason with contempt, and declared civil war on the civilian community. Tracing the history'of the coalmines dispute, the Minister of Mines (the Hon. P. G. Webb) said to-night that it would be clear to all that there was no justification for the action taken by the men. Their refusal to heed the advice of their own national organisation or to recognise their responsibility and duty to the country in its hour of peril could only be interpreted as a challenge to the State. Mr- Webb said that the dispute had arisen because four pairs of miners at Pukemiro had reduced their production below the minimum wage requirements and were paid according to production. The miners refused to work unless the minimum rate was paid, and the other mines went out in sympathy. A Press Association message from Hamilton says that, with the exception of the Wilton mine at Ngaruawahia, all affected coalmines in the Waikato area are still idle to-day, the men deciding to remain on'strike, in spite of a recommendation from the union that work be resumed at the various mines this morning. At the Rotowaro and Alison mines the men, after travelling from Huntly by train, held a meeting on the station platform, and as a result of the decision reached returned home by the next train. Miners at the Renown, Glen Afton, and McDonald mines decided to continue the deadlock, and at the Pukemiro mines where the present trouble originated, a similar decision was reached.