STATE MINE

Greymouth Evening Star, 11 August 1920, Page 5

STATE MINE

STOPPAGE OF WORK. QUESTION IN THE HOUSE POSITION EXPLAINED. (Special to the “Star”)

WELLINGTON, This Day. The Premier was reminded today of a stoppage of work at the State Coal Mine, Mr Holland explaining 7 that it was due to trouble over the railway service, which has been unsettled for two years. He suggested that the

Minister for Mines and Minister for Railways should confer, with a view to coming' to an agreement. Mr Holland’s last suggestion raised a few smiles, because it happens that the Mines is one of tlm Premier’s many portfolios. Mr Massey provoked more merriment by assuring' the questioner that he would he glad to arrange a meeting of the Minister for Stines and the Minister for Railways to consider the question. As a matter of fact, he had already done so. Mr Phaser: Are you unanimous ? Mr Massey : Quite. (Laughter). He went on in a more serious mood to explain that there had been a misunderstanding over the matter, because he had arranged an interview between the General Manager of Railways and the Permanent Head of the Mines Department. He had instructed the General Manager for Railways to give the men the train they had asked for, not only regarding conveyance from the mine's, hut also regarding repairs, which wove being charged to the men. He had wired this to Greymouth. and hop'nl that the men would he at work next. dav.