WAIKATO STRIKE

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23751, 24 September 1942, Page 4

WAIKATO STRIKE

Three Mines Resume Production FIVE STILL IDLE

(P.A.) AUCKLAND, September 23. There was only a partial resumption of work at some of the Waikato coalmines this morning, and it is estimated that fewer than 500 of the 1300 men who were on strike are working at three of the seven collieries in the district. The Mangapehi mine, which is situated 24 miles south of _Te Kuiti and is also involved in the dispute by its employees’ connexion with the district union, was also idle. The mines which resumed work are Roto ware, Alison, and Wilton, and those remaining idle are Glen Afton, Macdonald, Pukemiro, and Renown. The normal output of the three mines now in production is 1000 tons a day, and the usual output for all collieries is between 3000 and 3500 tons a day. The Rotowaro and Alison men held a brief meeting and then started work. Meetings were held at the Renown, Glen Afton. and Macdonald mines. The discussions were comparatively brief, and after deciding not to resume work the men returned home. It is stated that the decision taken at the Renown mine was carried by 61 votes to CO. Attendances at both meet-: ings represented 75 per cent, of the employees. Delegates from the mines still idle met this afternoon and it is understood that the Pukemiro men held a meeting to-night to review the situaA notice posted in Huntly to-night by the Renown branch of the union states that an executive meeting will be held to-morrow. The issues to be discussed are not officially disclosed, but there is good reason to believe that the decisions of the Pukemiro men and other branch executives, there being a branch at each mine, will determine whether a partial or complete resumption of work will obThere is said to be little likelihood of the idle mines commencing operations this week, as only two working days remain. Thirty workers _at Mangapehi are also holding a meeting to discuss developments. An announcement was made by me National Broadcasting Service this evening that it was understood a ballot of all the Waikato miners was to be taken on Friday on the question of a general resumption of work, and that informed circles confidently expected the result would be a large majority in favour of resuming. When this was referred to the president of the Northern Miners’ Union (Mr H. Hall), he said he knew nothing about it.

STATE CONTROL OF MINES

MR WEBB ANNOUNCES DETAILS

OWNERS TO TAKE OVER AT END OF WAR

(P.A.) AUCKLAND, Sept. 23. All the Waikato coal mines are to be brought immediately under State control for the duration of the war. An announcement that’ the Government had reached this decision was made by the Minister of Mines and La.bour (the Hon. P. C. Webb), who said he confidently believed that the striking miners would return to work under State control. “The effect will be that the Government will manage all the mines through at single administration,” said Mr Wgbb. "It will take full responsibility for the production of coal that is required for carrying on the war effort and maintaining industry, 'Die Government will also be responsible for preserving the interests of the owners, who will retain ownership and will have the mines restored to their control at the end of the war. “If the men accept the new arrangemeht and go back to work, conferences will be held between representatives of the Government and the miners’ organisations regarding details as they affect each mine, with the object of reaching the largest possible output.” When he was asked whether the decision was a result of an agreement between the Government and the mining companies, Mr Webb said that the companies’ consent did not come into the matter, because the Government had resolved that in the interests of New Zealand’s war effort a.change would have to take place. He could state definitely, he said, that the decision had not been made at the demand of the miners. In fact, regulations providing for State control of the coal mines had been drafted a week before the men raised the question, and were held ready for enactment in the last resort if the strike were prolonged. “I wish to state quite as definitely that there is no truth in any assertion that the Government aims at the nationalisation of mines,” said the Minister. “Nationalisation had never been considered, and even if it had been the Government would not take advantage of the war to carry it out. The Government has no wish to take over control of the Waikato mines. It is doing so because the situation demands that course, and because in the midst of a deadly war New_ Zealand cannot allow her key industries to be strangled for lack of coal. “If the present stoppage continues for any length of time, dairy factories, freezing works, and many other essential industries may have to close down, and one result will be unemployment for thousands of workers. The Government has prepared regulations stopping all coal for domestic use, making heavy reductions in gas, and imposing many other restrictions. However, I have every hope that the mCn will see reason, and that these regulations will not have to be brought into force.”

FIRM ACTION URGED “LAWS SHOULD BE IMPLEMENTED” VIEW OF CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE (P A.) WELLINGTON, September 23. The acting-secretary of the Associated Chambers of Commerce has written to the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser) as follows: “At a meeting to-day of the executive of the Associated Chambers ox Commerce some - discussion took place in connexion with the present coalmine strike, which is viewed by my association as a serious development in a critical period ox the war as affecting New Zealand. . . “My executive is of the opinion that recalcitrant elements in the community must be dealt with firmly, and we would therefore urge upon you to administer the Strike and Lock-out Emergency Regulations which were devised for the purpose of dealing with such disturbances. “The question of the State ownership of the mines is an issue altogether separate and apart from the present dispute. This is a highly debatable issue which should in no way affect the course of action taken by the Government in the present circumstances. “We therefore again urge that you implement the laws as laid down and would assure you of the wholehearted support of this association on such action being taken.”