STATE MINERS’ UNION

Greymouth Evening Star, 12 October 1928, Page 5

STATE MINERS’ UNION

LETTER FROM MR COATES.

The following reply to requests from the State Miners’ Union has been received by Mr. H. E. Holland, M. P. from the Prime Minister: —

H. E. Holland, Esq., M.P.—Dear Sir, —-Re request made on behalf of State Coal Miners’ Union Executive: —Replying to youi - further letter of the 27th. ult. hereon, I have to advise as follows: —

(1) Stone Scale.—After referring to the report of the remarks which were made by the Union representatives, when they saw me in Wellington recently, it is found that no reference whatever was made by them as to altering the existing stone scale. (2) Railway Tickets.—Beyond pointing out that, owing to the idle days suffered by the Liverpool Colliery, the men were not able to use fully the weekly ticket, no request was made at such interview in connection with the issue of railway tickets. I am advised, however, that when the Undersecretary of Mines was at Runanga, several months ago, the .Union representatives asked that some concession in respect of the railway tickets should be made, in consequence of the Liverpool Mine not working full (time. On his return to Wellington he wrote to the General Manager of Railways on 3rd August last, suggesting that, in the circumstances mentioned by him, the tickets purchased by the workers should be made available for a fortnight. In his reply the General Manager pointed out that the cost of the tickets represented a revenue of .61d only for each mile travelled. He remarked that it was obvious that a concession such as that enjoyed by the miners was unremunerative to the Railway Department, aeid that to grant a further concession by extending the availability of the tickets would not only add to the loss, but would place the Department in

the position of having to face similar requests from other parts of New Zealand. It was pointed out that if the miners found the cost of the tickets was heavy, on account of the oscasions they were unable to secure a full week’s work, they could avail themselves of the twelve or fifty-trip bearer tickets, both of which represent a generous concession on ordinary fares, and are unrestricted as to the period of availability. He added that the matter had been given careful consideration, but in the circumstances he was unable to agree to an extension in the availability of the weekly twelve-trip tickets. On the 13th August the Under Secretary of Mines wrote to the Superintendent of the State Coal Mines advising him of the reply from the Railway . Department, and no doubt, that officer in turn, advised the State Coal Miners’ Union Secretary of the decision come to by the General Manager of Railways. (3) Train Services and Change of Time Table—On making inquiries, I find that the Under Secretary of Mines wrote to the General Manager of Railways on the 17th. ult., advising him of the representations which had been made by the Union Executive officials at the interview referred to above, and asking him to go carefully into the matter, in accordance with my promise to see if something could not be done in the direction desired; but up to the presetn a reply has not corrie to hand.

(4) Re Intermittent Work at Mine. —This matter has already been the subject of great anxiety, not only to myself, but to the officers of the Mines Department, and steps have been, asid are still being taken with the object of reducing the idle time to a minimum. In the meantime the causes of the idle time may be summarised under the following heads: — (a) Reduced bunkering demands, due to the increasing use of fuel oil for steam purposes. (b) The loss of a substantial part of an order from one of the largest gasworks in the Dominion, (c) The temporary cessation of operations at Onakaka Iron Works, which works had been using 600 tons of State coal slack per week. It is anticipated that the resumption of business with these works will not eventuate until early next year, (d) The reduction in the requirements of one or two other large consumers and the dislocation due to’ the unworkable state of the Grey bar. The effect of this can be appreciated by considering the fact that the disposal of not less than 4000 tons of coal has been lost through delays in delivery, and consequent double banking of consignments. (a) Re Granting of Leases in the Runanga District. —It is assumed that this inquiry refers to the representations which were made with regard to Italians being granted leases of certain Crown lands in the vicinity of Rapahoe and erecting huts thereon? If so, I find that on the 20th. ult., the Under Secretary of Mines wrote to the Under Secretary of Lands advising him of the representations which had been made, and asking what could be done to meet the objections raised by the deputation, but up to the present time, no reply has been received from that. Department. (Signed) J. G. Coates, for Minister of Mines.