THE STATE MINES IDLE

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 271, 10 August 1920, Page 5

THE STATE MINES IDLE

MINERS DEMAND IMPROVEMENT IN RAILWAY ARRANGEMENTS RESORT TO DIRECT ACTION By TelecriDh-Press Association. Greymouth, August 9. The State mines were idle to-day on account of tho miners' dissatisfaction over the train service. At a stop-work meeting the men, after considering Departmental reports, decided unanimously that until 'better travelling facilities were provided they would refuse to continuo work. The executive of the Miners' Union subsequently met tho Under-Secretary for Mines (Mr. Emboli), along with the mine managers, and discussed their grievances, but later stated that no final settlement was possiblo until the Railway Department was consulted. The miners say that the dispute ia with the Railway Department and not with the Mines Department. Their representatives contend that the men aTe anxious for a. settlement, but the miners are unanimously against resuming work until an assuranco is given that travelling facilities will be adjusted to enable them to get to and from work without the delay and inconvenience caused them by the existing arrangements. It is impossible to say when tho mines will resume, 6ince the men stand firm as a, Tesult of the.'failure of less extreme measures to securo the desired adjustment.

The stoppage means ji loss of 800 tons of coal daily.