FOUR MINES AT TEN MILE IDLED BY TONNAGE DISPUTE

Greymouth Evening Star, 16 October 1947, Page 6

FOUR MINES AT TEN MILE IDLED BY TONNAGE DISPUTE

Four co-operative coal mines in the Ten Mile . district are idle because their demands for an increase in tonnage rates from a purchasing company have not been met. The mines have been idle for the past few days. The four mines—Kaye and Party,' Harrison and Party, Aerial Party and Kiwi Party, produce between 400 and 500 tons of coal each, week, the total output being purchased from them by the Briandale Company which has tramway rights over the area.' Some weeks ago, it is stated, the co-operative mining parties found production costs beyond their capacity at the tonnage rate paid, which was" 17s 3d a ton, and sought an increase to 22s a ton. They advised the purchasing company that any further coal supplies removed from the bins would be at the new rate, after the failure of negotiations to secure an increase. Other mining parties throughout the district are stated to be paid on an average of 27s 6d.'

Approaches were made to the Minister of Mines and the Under-Secre-tary of the Mines Department almost a fortnight ago, but so far neither has replied to the men’s request. Between 25 and 30 men are affected by the dispute.