MINING DISPUTE

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 September 1923, Page 7

MINING DISPUTE

APPEALS FOR ASSISTANCE

(Special to “Star.”)

CHRISTCHURCH, September 20. A Press message from Greymouth states that the West Coast District Council of the miners, at a meeting held at Westport on Sunday, decided to ask Mr. P. O’Rourke, Secretary ol the New Zealand Miners’ Federation, and Mr. Evans, member of the Executive of that organisation, to tour the North and South Islands with the obpect of soliciting financial support from all trade unions for miners who are now idle on the West Coast as the result of their recent adoption of a “go slow” policy, with the object of forcing the coal owners to accede to their demands for extensive alteration of the Arbitration Court award for coal mines.

In this connection, it is interesting to note that Mr. P. J. O’Regan, who is the legal adviser of the Miners’ Federation, is reported in Wellington to have stated to the Minister of Labour, at a recent interview with reference Io certain suggested amendments to the Werkers’ Compensation Act, that “very few men outside the coal miners and watersiders get £4 15s 6d a week.” It follows that, the miners, who with Hie watersiders, are the highest paid workers in the Dominion, are proposing to ask their fellow workers who are not so well paid themselves, to maintain them during a period of idleness which has resulted solely from their own folly. Apparently Air. O’Rourke and Air. Evans are being given “a hard row io hoe.”

CHRISTCHURCH CONFIDENT

CHRISTCHURCH, Sept.. 20.

Coal stocks in Christchurch, at the presept time arc ample, and despite the stoppage on the West Coast, no fears are entertained by coal merchants of a shortage of supplies. “Wo are not having any trouble in any shape or form,” said the representative of one large coal concern. Within the next fortnight, he added, no less than three steamers were expected with coal from Newcastle. In addition the co-operative mines on the West Coast, which are still working, are being drawn on. It is considered that so far as supplying the needs of Christchurch is concerned, there is not the slightest ground for apprehension. The Gas Company has good stocks on hand, though events are being watched very carefully with a view to protecting the gas consuming public against any further development of the trouble. “I think we w’ll bi' all right,” said Mr. R. C. Bishop, the manager. “We are making every endeavour to protect ourselves. Wo have bought well ahead and if deliveries are as promised. then we should have no I rouble. We are doing our best to keep our supplies going.” CASE FOB EM l’i.o\’ KI IS. J 1111 !ST( 'III I’CI I September 201 iilervieweil regarding tin' stoppage, in tlm West < 'oast mines, M r 'l' <l. Bishop /sccia tar\ of Ihe New Zialaml Coal Mum Owners’ \ s.r-ial nm) slal- | The com |>.inies concerm il .a re all roadv Io re open Ibe mines immedial' ly on Hie receipt of an inli.imilimi from Hie miners ihal. they are willim; Io resume normal working un ,|er Hie provisions ol the Arbitration ('mill .award No suggest ion has been received lor a. conference between the par 1 les. nor r. any conlerem-e necesaa r V in \I r W ** I the tact 111 a I the wages and conditions for coal mining are jixud by an award until November 30,

1924 If. after a resumption of work, it is found that there are any matters not covered by the award requiring consideration in respect of any mine l hose can be dealt with .as provided by clause 41 of Ihe award, which is as fallows(a) Any dispute concerning .any matter not specifically dealt with in this award, which cannot bq settled by the executive of the union and Hie management, of the mine, shall he immediately referred fo the District. Dispules Commill<‘e; (b) Hm District Disputes Cmnmitlec shall consist of one representative appointed by each side, and Hie local Magistrate, or other person agreed upon by the ,- oiirt, as chairman ami shall di a! with any matter which lias net been settled by the means provided in clause (a) hereof. \ majority decision ol the District Dis putt's (t.mmillep shall he final, and bindiim ini all parties; (c) work shall contini]/ during the dispute, as before the dispute arose.