HIKURANGI TROUBLE

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 291, 4 September 1931, Page 8

HIKURANGI TROUBLE

Miners Want Conference CLOSING OF WILSON MINE By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, September 8. A meeting of members of the Hikurangi Miners' Union decided to send a telegram to the Minister of Mines requesting him to convene a conference' of all parties interested in tho mining dispute. ,-y? ■ "I think Wilson’s Collieries, Ltd., as a company, will never operate the mine again, but if the men desire to work it on the co-operative party system or on tribute, the company will be willing to take the coal from them and will place its plant at their disposal on favourable terms,” said the general manager, Mr. S. Reid, in- a statement to-day. Reviewing the history of the mine, he said tjiat the cost of winning the coal continued steadily to increase, due to the harder conditions in the mine, longer haulage, water troubles caused by the flooding of the adjoining mine, as well as lack of interest and co-operation bn the part of the miners. The cost reached its peak early this year. Closing the mine meant that 190 employees would be affected. Including thirteen officials. •