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Greymouth Evening Star, 27 May 1914, Page 5

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TROUBLE AT BEALEY FLAT. MEN GO BACK TO WORK. NOTES ANENT THE DISPUTE. IOTJR SPECIAL REPORTER ] Ifcjvas gratifying yesterday to learn that the labour trouble at Bealey Flat had been settled. With the tunnel so far completed, it would be a thousand pities jhoulcl any trouble arise to stop, the work or to delay it in any appreciable way. The cause of the trouble so far as we can learn was over the introduction of the contract system at the Bealey side." At that end the driving is easier than at Otira, and in the opinion if the Public Works Department the rate of progress under the day labour system was not fast enough, and so the contract system was sought to be introduced. „.

The engineer in charge, Mr Dinnie, met the reor.esentatives- of the union arid the matter was gone into, conditions were drawn up and an agreement tentatively submitted to the parties. Certain amendments and omissions were agreed upon, and to all intents and purposes the contract between the parties was. agreed to. To the astonishment of the men they were individually asked to sign an agreement which was submitted to them. This agreement purnorted to be the same as the one the parties had accepted, but it varied from the other in cer£ain material points and the men refused to accept it. The men maintained : Firstly, that there was an agreement between the Government (through the Minister of Public Works) and the secretary (Mr H. T. Armstrong) that the work would be carried on by day labour. ' , Secondly, that the Government, by introducing another system, had broken their contract and so caused a "lock-out." . J , Thirdlv, that the promise to place the plant in good order before the con tract system started was not fulfilled—reference here was made specially to the condition of the machinery and par ticularly the drills. Fourthly, that the clause, the coiltractors shall supply labour for inside or out'siue work as the engineer may require" was not understood and not acceptable. "Fifthly, that the clause 55 men shall be employed in the tunnel for ex cavating and lining, but this niimbei may be increased if agreed upon by the engineer and headman, or if sufficient progress is not peing made wanted some interpretation and explanation. There was no Avork going on at the BeaTSy End on Wednesday last and a great amount of feeling was being shown. It was feared, too, that the men ar, Otira might in sympathy come out with the Bealey workers. ±ne men resented the inclusion of the terms Jm'cl conditions, in the contract abov. motioned, and on the other hand the Public Works Department s othcers deemed that their proposals were fan and reasonable. The upshot was a complete deadlock. . The secretary of the union thei. wired"'for Messrs Seddon and Joroes, Mp 's to come and investigate the trouble. On Saturday last Mr Forbes arrived from Canterbury at Bealey Flat Mr Seddon went from Westlano on the same day. At Bealey Flat the executive of the union met the members of Parliament and placed the matter before them. The Public Works officials kindly showed the represents, tive men through the workings, and both sides explained" their case as far as conditions of the plan, and mamachinery were concerned. . On Sunday; the < secretary of the union , Mr H. T. Armstrong, and Mr W Collins journeyed to Otira and ad. dressed the Otira workers Later in fhe afternoon Messrs Seddon and Forbes arrived in one of Mr H. uu» s&v's coaches. They were able to effect an interview between the engife e er \n charge, Sr Dinnie, reputing the Government, and Mr Ann Son" and Mr Collins, representing the men A great deal of credit is cue to Mr Dinnie, for it was owing to his tact and judgment that a proper under Sanding between the e d by, explanations given by nun on the various clauses objected to and cei tain reasonable amendments being conceded the whole trouble was happily el Wit'fi the introduction of a new system there are bound to be initial dirhcult ies, but now the parties have ar Sed at a complete understanding .it Say safely .be said that the work wdl prolee'ct more quickly + than hith*ita 'At the Otira end the workers _ are driving in better country and it is anticipated that the worst of the wet places is passed. Those connected with th*e tunnel for some time say t at the worst is over and the country will This is good news- and will allay the fears of those who had their doubts whether the tunnel could be pushed through if so much water had to be contended with. For over two miles the tunnel is lined and quite completed this end while the bottom heading \t proceeding at a satisfactory late and in the top heading the men are at present copending with .dampness Kit exnect to be favoured with good country", as those have who are at present workin 2 the bottom heading. So far this winter there have been no delays owing to the drying up of the water supply. At Otira the rate of progress is as. satisfactory as the conditions will allow.