GO-SLOW POLICY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLVIII, Issue 4474, 15 February 1917, Page 5

GO-SLOW POLICY.

MINERS’/ ALLEGED UNDERHAND TACTICS. INTERESTING REVELATIONS AT HAMILTON. (Press Association Telegram.) HAMILTON, Feb. 14. At the Military Service Appeal Board to-day, when a miner named William Burnie, who is engaged on the staff of the Waipa Colliery, wqs 'asked by Captain Rogers,Military Representative, whether the average output per man was as great now as itwas 12 months ago, he replied, “No.” Further evidence was given that the present output was 17 trucks per day, whereas six months ago it was between 20 and 22. Witness could give no reason why there should be such a decrease as the distance to the face should make no difference. He would not say that the decrease was deliberate on the part of the men, but said it seemed; to be the case. A very large decrease liad been noticeable since last Friday week. Witness could not say whether there had been a meeting of the union at which a resolution was adopted to restrict the output, hut during the past fortnight it liad fallen about one-tliird,. It was reported that the pien had been instructed not to earn more than 11s 6d per day. the minimum fixed under the award. The men were getting a war bonus and were apparently putting that on to the wages and.cutting down the supply of coal. In reply to Mr Rosser, a member of the. Board, witness stated that if the men earned more wages they would get more war bonus. At the conclusion of the witness’ evidence the mine manager (Mr Thomson) said he wished the Board to understand that be was in no way responsible for the restriction. David Burnie, another appellant, examined on the point, said he believed the miners throughout the Dominion had adopted a go-slow policy, but could not say for what reason. He believed the hewers and truckers were both a party to this policy and if he personally did secure a good place in a mine he would be unable to make a good cheque because the coal would not be taken away by the truckers.

Thomas Thompson, mine manager, stated that the output from his mine had been reduced fully one-third during the past fortnight. •' The actual figures were not yet available, as there had been no pay day since the go-slow policy was adopted, but lie knew from the weight sheets that the output was not normal. He understood that the same system was being adopted at Taupiri and West Coast mines. There was evidently concerted action throughout the Dominion. On the Thursday before this business started the President of the Coal Miners’ Federation visited the mine and a meeting was held. The output fell next day.

Asked if he could advance any reason for the policy, witness stated that apparently it was an attempt to force the owners to give the men a conference. The owners some seven months ago met the miners, who pleaded the nigh cost of living as a reason for some consideration. The owners recognised the position and granted a war bonus of 10 per cent, on the wages earned under the award, to operate for the duration of the wai and three months after. They thought the matter was settled, but now apparently the men were wanting some further* consideration and were earning less in order to strengthen thendemands. In reply to Mr Rosser, Mr 1 hornson stated that the award would not expire until January next. Continuing, witness stated that the men’s average wage was nearly 17s per day with 10 per cent, war bonus additional.- Though lie had no authority for the statement, he believed the men had received orders that they were not to earn more than 11s 6d per day. . Asked as to how the men worked, Mr Thomson stated that the mine worked full time, namely 11 days a fortnight, and the average for tßc number of miners engaged would be over ten days per man. A reporter approached another mine manager who was not in Court at tne time the above evidence was given, who said he could, so far as his own observation went, bear Mr Thomson s -statement out, and, further, he added that the men received explicit instruction that they were not to earn more than 12s per day.