STATE MINE STRIKE

Evening Post, Volume C, Issue 38, 13 August 1920, Page 7

STATE MINE STRIKE

STEPS TO SETTLE IT

The. position of 'affairs at the State mine was the subject of a:brie? reference in the House of Representatives yesterday. Mr. H. E. Holland (Buller) asked the Prime Minister if he would state how tilings stood there. He had just received a telegram from the State Miners' Union to the effect that the matter was not yet settled, though the time-table that the miners wanted had been agreed to by the mine -manager, Perhaps, said Mr. Holland, in.a facetious reference to the Prime Minister's dual portfolios, the Minister for Bail ways had agreed to the men's wants in regard to train privileges, but was q'uarelling with the Minister for Mines over the matter. Mr. Massey : ''At the present moment i the. miners are enjoying themselves at | the English football match.". Mi-. Holland : "That is not the reason for the non-settlement." Mr. Massey : "I will give you the reasons as well, but I thought it just as well you should know that." (Laughter.) He did not find fault with the men for going to a. football match; he went himself sometimes. But the country was losing a. very large quantity of coal— 4000 tons a. week if the strike went on. He had given an undertaking the previous, day that the Minister for Mines and Railways would confer—(laughter)— and settle their grievances, and he had given instructions accordingly. (Laughter.) Mr. Massey went on to detail, what the grievances were. They related to certain train privileges and convenient.,;..^ and from the mines. .These had been seitled. What the Government had agrafci to meant an additional expenditure of £1,000 a year. Even now, apparently, the men were not satisfied. MrNHolland :. "The general manager won't agree to what the local manager is prepared to concede." Mr. Massey : "You arespe.akmg oi: Use Mines Department." He said that h& had instructed Mr. James to visit Grey-, mouth himself and endeavour to arrive at a settlement on the remaining point at issue.