COAL MINERS STRIKE

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 71, 17 December 1937, Page 12

COAL MINERS STRIKE

Demand For Subsidy On Bus Fares REFUSED BY COMPANY By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, December 16. The McDonald mine, Huntly, was idle to-day, following a demand by the men employed there that the operating company, Glen Afton Collieries, Ltd., should meet a recent increase in the workers’ bus fare by granting a subsidy of 3d. About 50 of 200 men employed at the mine travel to and from their homes in Huntly by bus each day, and recently the bus fare was increased from 2/to 2/4 a day. It was understood that the Mines Department would contribute Id. and the company was asked to find the balance of 3d. This the company refused to do and the mine was rendered idle.

On behalf of the men the Northern Miners’ Union communicated with the Minister of Mines, Hon. P. C. Webb, and the secretary of the United Mine Workers’ Union, Mr. A. McLagan.

At a meeting this evening a telegram from Mr. McLagan was read to the men. In this way they were advised to return to work, and they were promised that a conference to discuss the question in dispute would be arranged, to be held early next week. It, is stated that the men agreed to resume work to-morrow morning. There seems little likelihood of the trouble spreading to other mines in the district. It is understood that a similar request in regard to meeting an increase in bus fare was made on behalf of 50 of the mon employed by Renown Collieries, Limited, and that company agreed to find 3d. toward the increase, the balance of Id. being promised as a subsidy by the Mines Department. GOLDSBROUGH MORT, LTD. 0 (Received December 16, 10.20 p.m.) Melbourne, December 16. Addressing the shareholders of Goldsbrough Mort, Ltd., at the annual meeting in Melbourne, the chairman of directors, Mr. U. Niall, said the first half of the selling season now practically closed had been generally difficult and disappointing, due largely to political and economic troubles in the United States and the disturbance in the Far East. He added that the present level of prices little more than covered the expenses of growing wool. Brokers at present had unusually large quantities of wool in their stores.