IDLE MINES

Greymouth Evening Star, 12 February 1936, Page 6

IDLE MINES

IN BRUNNER DISTRICT. . The Dobson and Wallsend mines are idle to-day. Dobson will resume to-morrow, but a decision with regard to work at Wallsend will be made at a meeting of the Union, this evening. Interviewed by the “Star” this afternoon, Messrs IV. Purdy (President), A. Hoggarth (secretary) and J. Coutts (treasurer), of the Grey Valley Miners’ Union, stated the Dobson men’s grievance. Mr Purdy stated that a meeting of the Union was held in the Bathhouse, this-morning, when it was decided that, as u protest against certain conditions in the Dobson mine, as revealed by reports from the workmen’s inspectors, the men should return home, the Union officials to interview the Government inspectors, Messrs Strongman and Hadcroft, in the matter.

Mr Purdy stated that dissatisfaction also exists on account of a belief that the employers are opposing the engagement of men who have applied for work controlled by the Public Works Department. These men, last year, worked in the mine on only 131 days, and it is claimed by the men that the Comapny has not provided them with food during the last four years. “The Dobson Company,” he added, “rely upon asistance. from the Unemplyoment Board to feed their, employees, and then complain when these underfed and underclothed employees seek more remunerative employment.

Work will be resumed to-morrow, when an inspection of the mine conditions will be made by the Government inspectors and workmen’s officials.

WALLSEND TROUBLE. The Walsend mine is idle as a result of a dispute which arose yesterday, when three men refused to pay an additional levy imposed to assist the National Counci in sending a delegate to Russia. The secretary of the Brunner Mine Workers’ Union, Mr. W. Lee, stated this afternoon, that when a vote was taken in August last among members

of the Union, a majority of the men were against the imposition of a levy for the purpose of assisting in sending a delegate to Russia. However, when a majority of Unions deecided for a levy, Brunner Union stood by, that decision. The levy -was for 6d I per man for four days, a total of 2/-, in addition to the ordinary Union contribution of 1/6 per man. Three men refused to pay th? extra levy, and at a lengthy meeting of the Union last 1 evening, it was decided that the mine, would not work pending communication with the President of the Miners’; Federation. Mr. Lee advised the Federation President of the positioi. I A reply is expected to-night, when a. meeting of the Brunner Union will decide what action is to he taken. I