THE STATE COAL MINE

Grey River Argus, 13 May 1911, Page 5

THE STATE COAL MINE

■ . . AN INDIGNATION MEETING. Last evening a public meeting- was held in the Town Hall to" protest against the shortage of work at the jState coal mine. There was a very poor attendance, not much interest oeing aken by ' the business people.' i-lis Worship the Mayor occupied the chair and on the platform were Messrs V. Byrne, T. Russell, Glover,' Webb, Hunter, Kerr, Jaokson and Sheedy. The Mayor after explaining the objects of the meeting called upon Mr VVebb 1 to speak and explain the unsatisfactory state of affairs that existed. Mr "Webb said it behoved them to come forward on such an important occasion \as- this. He referred to the letter appearing- in the Argus of thai morning- which said the miners took three weeks' holiday when orders were available. They did not want to work, work, work. They only wanted fo live. • He protested that the miners and the people of tße district were not being fairly treated. He said the Hon Mr Mckerizie had been aslci&d to open coal depots in ditf;tent parts, 'but the Minister replxd tnat they could not supply the demand. Yet the jnine was now lyirg idle half the time. The sanitary conditions of the State mine were a r! sgrace to the people of the Coast. The attairs at the Extension -were y-. y Dad. ' The 'Government were ii j-os' ing- conditions on private enterprise cnaT they would not ackno v'edgState coal mines kept down the se'l< in gf-, price of coal. The business people of Greymouth should . urge mv ri tlie Government to take over {lie steam . ship company. He beij-::£?d that certain members of the Government did not wish: to have a : r cnte mine working in these parts. He said it did n<st say much for «!ie business people of Greymouth to l:r-ve such a small meeting. It was a j;n-at shame to see such a lack of Interest, rie thought they should protc-st against the slackness of time, sanitation, and the bad state of affairs that existed #at tHe State mine. If the State mine at Dunollie was clos- ( ed, then the Greymouth business peo- J pie would bestir themselves. The I speaker made a very forcible and eloquent appeal for an emphatic protest. Mr Glover said they were of the opinion that the Government were now against State control. If it \was possible to make it a failure the Gov^ ernment intended to do so. He referred at length to the unsatisfacory conditions existing at tlie mine. Mr Hunter said they were only working about half time at the mine. The permanent hands were kept on which meant . extra expense. The conditions of the. men at the Extension was something deplorable. Mr J. P. Bierne said he was of the : opinion that the members of die Gov- ' ernment had too much interest in private concerns. If the State mine was owned by private enterprise it would pay 17£ per cent. The Government and Union Company had too* much in common. The people of Greymouth should support the movement. ••Mr Kerr asked whether the fact of the railway laying in large (stocks "of cbal was responsible for the slackness of orders. Mr Webb said he *was pleased to be asked that question. The rumour had been circulated, but -the Press were a good deal responsible for' the present position. The Mayor moved: — "That this meeting views with strong- disapproval the 'Government's action in curtailing orders to" the Runanga Srate collieries. The meeting also wishes to convey the strong feeling of indignation existing in the town and district at -the Government using large quantities of Newcastle coal on the railways and other State works while the State mines are practically idle." Mr R. Russel seconded, and said the resolution "was a step "in the right direction. Newcastle coal should not be used. The motion was carried unanimously. Mr J. Jackson proposed the following resolution:— "That this meeting enters .its most emphatic prc-test against the apathy of the Government in not providing- houses and huts at the top mine of the State Collieries tor the convenience of the workers; that ft is manifestly unfair for the Government to compel private companies to observe certain conditions in 'the interests of the workers and at tRc same time deny these conditions to their own employees." Mr T. V. Byrne seconded, and regretted that the attendance was' so small. He said the representatives of the district should have been pre-. sent". There was undoubtedly something wrong in the management of the State mine. 'The motion was carried. Mr Sheedy moved :— "That this meeting also directs the Government's attention to the alleged unsanitary condition of the State Collieries, and demands an immediate investigation into- the matter so that ■the health of the miners shall be cpnserved." He siad there was something radically wrong- in the working of the State mine. The present condition was very serious, and it was one of the most important meetings held during the year. Mr Kerr seconded. Carried. Mr Kerr moved that a hearty vote of thanks be. accorded to the visitors from Runanga for the very lucid way in which they Ead explained 'themselves. - | Mr Jackson seconded and said the ' resolution should be carried with applause. The motion .was carried with enthusiasm. . ■■'■■- | .Mr Webo returned thanks for the meeting's appreciation and he hoped that the result wOuld be satisfactory. Mr Webb moved a votevpf thanks to the Mayor and Councillors for "-<- attendance. Mr Glover seconded and said the Mayor and Councillors deserved credit for coming forward. Carried unanimously.