Extremists Defeated In Miners’ Union Ballot

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22772, 19 October 1948, Page 3

Extremists Defeated In Miners’ Union Ballot

(P.A.) AUCKLAND, Oct. 19. The extremist section has failed to gain control of the Northern Miners’ Union, The result of the election of officers was announced in Iluntly last night and, according to comment in union circles, it signifies the heaviest defeat that the extremist members have suffered in the last 25 years 01more.

Mr. T. Hall has been re-elected president. He resigned following internal dissatisfaction in the union which arose over the failure of the executive to support the recent strike by the men of the MacDonald, Glen Afton and Pukerniro mines. The executive opposed the strike. The former secretary, Mr. 11. Hall, also resigned, but did not olfer himself for re-election.

The resignations were followed by a mass meeting at which it was decided to hold a fresh election for all positions in the union. Mr. T. Hall defeated Mr. 11. Gillies, of the MacDonald mine, for the post of the president and also topped the poll for the other too offices which he contested.

Mr. E. Kernohan, of Glen Afton mine, who had not previously sought office in the union, was elected secretary, defeating Mr. 11. Peden, of MacDonald mine, by a narrow margin. Mr. R. J. Dunn, who was president of the union until Mr. Hall took office two years ago, was defeated in the two contests in which he took part.