DENNISTON NOTES

Grey River Argus, 3 May 1934, Page 7

DENNISTON NOTES

(Our Own Correspondent.) A special meeting of the Denniston Workers’ Union, which embraces all mine workers, engine drivers, carpenters, blacksmiths, electricians, incline workers and all surface hands, practically a 100 per cent, organisation, was held at the MarshaHvale Hall, Mr Chas, Smith presiding. The attendance was not up to the mark at the time of opening, but the hall gradual!) tilled with members. Many are of the opinion that Denniston should follow the example of the watersiders and seamen in having special stop work meetings when occasion demands the voice of all its members. The business on the agenda paper was of vita* importance, and, as the chairman pointed out, unity was strength. The* unity was shown in no uncertain manner hv the meeting unanimously rejecting the agreement that was submitted by Mr T. Whittle and Mr J. Warren, the Union delegates at the Conference. The report of the chairman and executive gave full details of arguments regarding the Denniston disputes that had taken place at the Westport Coal Company’s office on Thursday, with the District Manager. Mr J. C. Brown, and the local managers. Mr Brown’s written decisions on the disputes were ready, and it was recognised by all present that it would be futile to accept any agreement with the minimum wage, wet time and “unjustly dealt with” clauses, worded exactly as they were previously, to be interpreted by the management the same as last year, resulting in fortnightly repetitions of disputes. On this occasion Mr J. C. Brown had in certain cases rectified where there were injustices to the men concernel on the minimum wage. He also recognised that in one particular section of the Ironbridge mine, where most of the minimum wage disputes arise, the coal is of a very hard nature, ami he expressed his intention of recommending to the Directors at Dunedin that an additional 2d per ton should be paid to any miners in this section. That statement alone of Mr Brown’* goes to prove that the Denniston tonnage must be revised to do justice to the miners involved. When certain rates were agreed on for coal hewing, thev were agreed to with certain working conditions, but recently the management have imposed or ordered the “six bv four cut” —“cut on rib only.’’ which has greatly restricted a miner’s output. The report of the Di>trict Council and the remits to th? National Miners’ Council were endorsed unanimously. .Mr A. Dellaway, the Buller representative to the National .Miners’ lCouncil, is at present in Wellington attending the annual meeting. Mr R. Philp, of Marshallvale, who for the past few years has been employed at the Denniston Post Office, has been transferred to the branch at Hokitika. All wish him every success, for he was obliging ami most courteous to all. Mr A. ,Te:ries has been appointed to the vacancy at Denniston Etbst Office. Mrs W. MacDonald, of Denniston, has returned to her home from th* 1 Buller Hospital, where she had been a patient for many months. AH wish her a speedy return to good health. Mr Raffles, of Burnett’s Face, is visiting Wellington to consult a specialist. He met with a serious accident in the mine many months ago, from which he has never recovered. Dr. Grant has sufficiently recovered from his sickness to resume duties. Westport Stars Rugby team defeated the Bachelors by 9 to nil. There was no score until the second spell; when Cargill and Shorroek scored trios and Twamley kicked a penalty for Stars.