WAIKATO STRIKE

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23752, 25 September 1942, Page 4

WAIKATO STRIKE

HOPES OF SETTLEMENT REVIVED MINERS TO HOLD SECRET BALLOT (P.A.) AUCKLAND, September 24. Hopes of a complete settlement of the Waikato coal strike being sneedily reached were reviewed to-day by tne announcement that the executive of the Northern Miners’ Union would hold a secret ballot of men in all districts tomorrow. The decision was reached at a long meeting of the executive to-day, after which it was stated that the result of the voting would be announced immediately on the conclusion of the official count to-morrow night. This move has met with widespread approval from the men, and if their frank and open comment on it can be taken as indicative of their voting intentions, an overwhelming majority in favour of resuming work should result. The comment is made that the ballot will at least give a comprehensive and complete indication of the miners' views. In the last fortnight, since the last secret ballot was held, many sectional votes and expressions of opinion and factional influences have contributed to the present confused and obscure position, Satisfaction is freely expressed at the arrangement to announce the voting figures. The omission to do so after the previous ballot has caused much wrangling and contention. It is stated that the issues to be put before the men to-morrow will be similar to those at the last ballot. Under the rules of the national miners’ organisation a three-fifths majority will be necessary to continue the strike. Any majority less than this percentage, it is stated, cancels the strike and has the same effect as a majority directly in favour of ending it. No confirmation could be obtained to-night of a statement reported to have been made to-day in Auckland by the Minister of Mines (the Hon. P. C. Webb) that a ballot would be taken on the issue of whether the men will work the mines under State control. A common belief is that, irrespective of any conditional phrasing of questions on the voting-paper, the ballot will resolye itself, in the miners’ eyes, to a plain issue of continuing or ending the strike. It is taken for granted by the Then that, subject to their voting for and returning to work forthwith, State control will automatically follow. There is now-no doubt in the minds of the miners over the implications of the vote. With the strike nearing the end of the third week and the loss of wages bearing heavily on the community, realism is now dominating minor side issues that have clouded the negotiations in recent weeks.

Hopes are running high that this feeling will be reflected in the voting to-morrow, and that a complete resumption of work on Monday in all mines will follow.

The Wilton mine continued working to-day, and at Mangapehi, where a vote was taken yesterday, work was resumed. Huntly men employed at the Rotowaro and Alison mines, which also opened yesterday, joined the train at the station this morning, but after a short consultation the majority went home. Others who went to the mines from other localities also returned, and the collieries were idle.

About 800 tons 6f coal were produced at the three mines which were working yesterday.

The 182 Pukemiro men who were sentenced last Friday have not yet been called upon to serve their terms of imprisonment: and while no official statement has been made, it is generally conceded that the normal output of 600 tons a day from this mine is a consideration which may influence the authorities in their decision.