MINES FOR MINERS

Greymouth Evening Star, 26 July 1923, Page 7

MINES FOR MINERS

STATE COLLIERIES EXPERIMENT In many of the smaller coal mines of the West Coast the principle of cooperation has been successfully practised for years past, but an experiment on a much larger scale is contemplated by the State Mines Department. An ’ interesting statement on the subject was made by the Undersecretary of Mines (Air \V. R. Kimbell) yesterday afternoon at the conference between the State Alines Department and the State Miners’ Union, regarding the working conditions and wages at the James Aline, Rapahoe. He asked the workers’ representatives to consider the principle of working the James Aline on a co-operative basis, the men to supply labour and the Department to provide supervision and materials. This, he considered, would prove very satisfactory, and would be an important experiment in coal production. Air J. Pattinson, President of the State Aliners’ Union, who was one of the assessors, said that the scheme had many good features, but he and the other representatives would have to bring the matter before their Union.

Interviewed on the subject to-day, Air Kimbell said that he made the statement yesterday with the consent of the Alinister of Alines. If the men adopted the suggestion, they would be required to find all labour, the Department accepting the responsibility of providing officials and supplying materials. The question of terms and conditions would have to be mutually arranged between the Department and the Union. “It would be a most important experiment,” said Air Kimbell, “the first of its kind over adopted in a New Zealand colliery. If satisfactory arrangements can be made, no doubt the men would be more contented and should be able to work under conditions more satisfactory to themselves, and the Department should be able to get coal from the mine at a reasonable cost, and with less friction. I feel sure the benefit will be felt by all parties.” Air I. A. James, General Alanager of the State Alines, when asked his opinion of the system, said that he preferred to make no definite statement at present. The matter was under consideration, but all depended on the decision of the Alinister. The adoption of the principle in the James Aline might work very satisfactorily, but it was impossible to say at the present stage how its application to coal mining generally would be received. Ho could rmt say at present on what terms the system would be introduced, except that ihe employees would have to supply labour and explosives and provide for the delivery of the coal into the storage bins. The Department would provide supervision and materials. Air Kimbell has communicated with the Alinister of Alines on the subject.