WAIKATO MINE SETTLEMENT BY THE MINISTER

Grey River Argus, 7 October 1949, Page 3

WAIKATO MINE SETTLEMENT BY THE MINISTER

Mine Managers Given Explanation

P.A. WELLINGTON, October 6.

‘‘l must remind the Waikato mine managers’ organisation that the settlement of industrial disputes at State mines is completely within the competence of the Minister and the Mines Department, and that the managers of privately-owned mines have no right to interfere, or to object to the lawful settlement of such disputes by the proper authorities”, said the Minister of Mines, Hon. A. McLagan, in a statement to-night. The Minister added that it was completely incorrect for the mine managers to assert that the dispute in the Waikato mines was settled without an inquiry. He said that the managers’ organisation had made a completely baseless claim to be the body which should have handled the dispute.

Mr McLagan said that, in making the settlement proposal to the Union, he simply had complied with the terms of the agreement that had been entered into by the Wilton mine management. That agreement gave the Miners’ Union the unquestionable right to object to the use of machines in any pillar or section of pillars, at any time, where they considered safety to be endangered.