SHORT HOURS IN MINES

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 99, 23 October 1924, Page 6

SHORT HOURS IN MINES

GOVERNMENT..ORDERS' SOUGHT.

■:<As deputation., representing the coal mine owners •of the Waikato, the employees of the Taupiri mines, the Huntly Town Board, and.the:Huntly-Cham-ber of Commerce waited upon the Prime Minister,)'the Minister, of Rail- '-~ ways, and'the Minister of Mines to-day with. a view "of obtaining some relief for the men, who have for some months past been working reduced hours in the •"Waikato -mines. Recently miners have i been, employed for only about three and a half days per week, the cause." being iri the main the importation of coal and ilia slackness of orders from the Government. ' Speakers expressed the hope that the industry in general would benefit from the Government's action, and that the country would become self-supporting as far as coal was concerned. There could be no doubt that New Zealand ' possessed supplies quite sufficient for a great many years, and it was to be regretted that such lai-ge sums of money were allowed, to go out of the country in purchasing a commodity which could *~" be produced in New Zealand by New Zealand workmen. ' The question of restricting importations was, also touched on, the depula--._.<*tion expressing the opinion that such an important industry was entitled to protection against foreign competition. The, Hon. E.\W.. Alison spoke strongly in the men's, interests, pointing out that, employment in the mines, usually stVitej'.best in winter, had.been unsatisfactory, during the past three, or four • .;■ months.";. This, he stated, pointed.to the practical Gertainty- of acuts distress among the mining 'community during the coming summer, ;'durihgwhich" season, even in' normal times,. coal orders are usually scarce. He therefore urged the Govern- ■-, ment to act promptly. The deputation was received sympathe- ;• ti.caUy, van'd.;after a fairly full discussion .. •' on the points involved, Mr. Massey pro--mised to have the whole matter carefully considered. "He pointed out "that an agreement had been come to between the . owners and the Government to: thorough;.ly -test-the-coals-produced locally, and that: the "experiments 'would Tie carried ont with as little'v delay ;as possible. The Minister of Railways, the Hon.'J. G. Coates, explained the position from tlie point of view of the Department, but p.romised..to,jnake,Jurther. efforts, to,,help. the .'men if "possible,- with additional or-ders-from'the1-Railway Department." Minister of Mines, the Hon. G. Jv Anderson, spoke 'shortly on certain / technical aspects, and in. reference ."• to'the-efforts of. his Department in ex- .". penmehtal.work.''"':.' .":'''.'. ""