COAL MINE DISPUTE

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 285, 29 August 1935, Page 13

COAL MINE DISPUTE

Sixty-five Men Dismissed

By Telegraph.—Press Association.

Westport, August 28.

The dispute at the Westport-Stock-ton Coal Company’s mine, which commenced on Sunday last, still continues, the latest development being the issue of notices dispensing with the services of 65 men.

A conference between the management and Miners’ Union executive on Monday afternoon was abortive, and yesterday the horses were taken out of the mine. •

Mr. T. McGhie, the manager, said it was the intention to work the mine on a single shift when work was resumed, although if the men were prepared to go back he was quite willing to work double shifts until the expiry of notices a fortnight hence. He offered the miners’ deputation on Monday, he said, to carry on with the double shift if they would resume then, but their refusal had resulted in a decision to dispense with a number of men, with the result that those who remained would get much better time, the mine having worked only half-time for a considerable period.

It is understood the miners’ case in the dispute has been put in the hands of the Buller miners’ central committee.