A NEW AWARD

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 116, 13 November 1923, Page 8

A NEW AWARD

FOR STATE COAL MINERS

MINISTLJ -DISAPPROVES SUGGESTION.

The framing of a new award, covering the State Coal Mines was the subject of a letter .recently forwarded to the Minister of Mines oy the secretary of the Coal Miners' Federation (Mr P O'Rourke). - "' ' "As a result of the admissions made by the coal owners regarding the inadequacy and unjustnes 3 of the existing Arbitration Court awards for the coal-mine workers in New Zealand," stated Mr. 0 Rourke, "and as the men at the State Mines are working under exactly similar unjust conditions, 'I am instructed by my executive to inquire from you as head of the State mines whether it is not possible to immediately scrap the award now in existence there, and arrange for a conference between the Miners' Federation, the local union, and' representatives of your Department, to discuss and arrange working conditions and rates of pay at the mines, and so remove the friction that exists, as admitted by yourself and the representatives of tlie coalmine owners recently. Once an injustice is admitted no useful purpose can be served by perpetuating it. I feel convinced you will admit, sir, as a result of the recent tour, and the meeting you had with the Tarious miners' representatives that there is a tremendous amount of room for improvement all round."

The Minister (the Hon. G. J. Anderson) has replied that he lias on no occasion admitted the existence -of any friction at the State Mines. "This being so," he states, "arid a s the working conditions at such mines are the subject of two industrial agreements which were entered into voluntarily by representatives of the State Miners' Union, I regret that I am unable to see my way to give effect to your suggestion."