STOCKTON NOTES

Grey River Argus, 22 July 1941, Page 7

STOCKTON NOTES

(Our Own Correspondent). A special meeting of the Ngakawau Miners’ Union was held in the Stockton Hall on July 13th. to receive a report from Mr. A'. McLagan (Secretary of the United Mine Workers), who was accompanied by Messrs Devlin (President) and Muir. Mr. J. Lavery (Union Vice President), was in the chair. Mr. McLagan dealt with the dispute in the Waikato district as to an increase in the rate for machine cut coal, and also the position. He referred to a small number of Communists in various mines who were out to sabotage the production of coal. A member here raised a point of order as to whether too much time was not being taken up by the political as against the industrial side of the address. The Chairman ruled that the speaker should be allowed to proceed, and any matters questioned could be dealt with at question time. I Mr. McLagan read letters from I the Communist t arty disapproving of his attitude during the Australian rrnmers’ strike because he' refused to call on the members of the United Mine Workers of New Zealand to down tools. He refused to do so, because the whole of the mines in Australia were not invoked in the stoppage. Next Mr. McLagan criticised the attitude of the Communist Central Committee in expelling Mr. T. Stanley from the Party. When Mr. Stanley went to gaol, the funds of his organisation were in a very sound position, but after he was released, he found the funds had oeen denlcted by live hundred pounds. The Auckland Union, of which Mr T. ,Stanley was Secretary, was. at that period, in a worse position than before Mr. Stanley went to gaol. Mr. McLagan said that in the “Industrial Worker’’ statements regarding the Waikato dispute had been published which were contrary to fact, as also regarding the evidence and suggestions submitted by himself during the hearing on the Kaye’s mine disaster and regarding the recent Dobson mine stoppage. Had either side in the Dobson dispute sent a representative to interview Mr. Meldrum (the Independent Chairman), an interpretation of his decision would have been obtainea, and there was no reason for the mine being idle. He dealt also with a report in the Magazine Page of the “Argus” regarding the composition of the Coal Mines Council, whose services the Union also dealt with. Next the question of the refusal of the Seamen’s Union to accept Mr. Wall as a member, was dealt with, and the information conveyed to the meeting by Mr McLagan was to the effect that Mr. Wall’s, action of 1922 was against his being admitted to the Union. The question of miners assisting the trucker in single places was explained. Only in places where two miners are working can the claim for two hours for each miner be substantiated. In places where only one miner is working, and he has to assist the trucker, then only one hour's pay will be made. Several matters were- discussed such as workers obtaining compensation where the wet-nature of the work has brought on an attack of pleurisy; compensation when a worker is injured travelling to work, and also the question of men travelling to the mine in their own time. The question was discussed of men exempted being compelled to join the Home Guard. A notice was posted some time ago to the effect that all those exempted from military service must join the Home Guard or be called up. The question of working on May Day was dealt with. Several members questioned Mr. Muir as to a statement on April 28 at a Stockton Top Brake meeting as to discipline of members. Mr. Muir denied saying: “We intend to discipline our members.” Mr. McLagan explained what, the resolution of the National Council implied as to discipline, and the matter ended. •