COAL MINE STRIKE CONTINUES

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 239, 4 July 1940, Page 10

COAL MINE STRIKE CONTINUES

No Sign Of Settlement UNION PRESIDENT’S STATEMENT

Dominion Special Service. GREYMOUTH, July 3.

State miners employed at Janies, Liverpool and Strongman mines, who went out on strike on Monday when the management declined to reinstate a trucker, who was recently dismissed, were idle again today, and there is practically no likelihood of resumption tomorrow, though it is understood that negotiations. are still proceeding between the State Miners’ Union and the Mines Department, Wellington.

When invited to comment on statements of tiic Prime Minister and the Minister of Mines, the president of the State Miners* Union, Mr. G. E. English, said that as yet he had no statement to make, but that he would give the whole question full publication as soon as the dispute was settled. “The union is taking a firm stand,” he said, “and I was never more proud of the men than I was at the meeting yesterday. They were 100 per cent, solid.”

Mr. English further stated that he was in communication with the department, but that the position was unchanged, and he did not think the mines would work tomorrow. There was a possibility that a delegation from the miners’ union would go to Wellington to discuss a settlement, which, it is understood, was proposed by the Brittle Minister to Mr. English by telephone yesterday, but it was considered by the mass meeting that action in this direction would have no bearing which would further ventilate the dispute with a view to bringing about a speedy and amicable settlement of the strike. In view of the deadlock reached on what the miners consider is a question of high principle at stake, there is a possibility that more drastice steps under the War Emergency Regulations will have to bo brought into force by the Government if the deadlock is to be overcome immediately.

So far shipping has not been affected to any great degree at Greymouth. but rail consignments via the east coast have fallen away as a result of the stoppage of the three key mines in the district. Praise has been given' the decision of the miners to work.on back Saturdays lo aid the national war effort. So far there have been only two back Saturdays.

The men worked on both those days, but the present strike has more than wiped out any increase in the production of coal on those Saturdays. In any case, it is understood that, while the first back Saturday’s work saw practically all the men back and in average production, the rcsiton.se of the miners on the second back Saturday was not as wholehearted, as far as the number of men was concerned, as was expected. At the monthly meeting of the Greymouth branch of the National Party, reference was made to what were described as petty and continual strikes throughout the country hampering industry when increased, production was imperative. Tlie action of those responsible was deplored, and it was decided that it was not a matter for individual unions to take the settlement of disputes into their own hands by arbitrary action, but for the Government, which had framed legislation to deal with disputes other than by arbitrary action. It was decided that the matter be referred to the Government, with a request that the wartime regulations be enforced, as loss of production had a serious effect on the Dominion’s war effort.