HIKURANGI MINE DISPUTE

Hawera Star, Volume LI, 3 September 1931, Page 9

HIKURANGI MINE DISPUTE

OWNERS MAKE QFFEiR. CONTROL TO CO-OPERATIVES. (By Telegraph—Presc Association.) WELLINGTON, Sept. 3. Accompanied 'by Messrs. H, M.. Rushworth and O. A. Wilkinson, nine Labour Members: of Parliament last night approached the Hon. A. J. Murdoch, Minister of Mines, requesting that he should act as arbitrator in the Hikurangi dispute. The deputation offered! co-operation in bringing about a settlement. As a result of inquiries made by him, Mr Murdoch, when interviewed to-day, said lie had been advised that the Portland Cement Company had definitely decided it would not reopen its mine, but was prepared to lease it to a cooperative party or parties and take the coal if it can ibe produced at a marketable price. He wais further advised that water was rising in the mine and had practically reached the last working level, soi if work were to be continued it would be necessary to take immediate steps for resumption. Concerning the Hikurangi mine itself, the miners were in conference with a view to the resumption of work in that mine on the old conditions and, on receipt of this information, he had communicated with Mr R. Semple, M.P., urging the Labour Party to recommend to tlie Hikurangi miners that work be resumed. He understood that subsequently Mr W. Nash, M.P., secretary to the party, had telegraphed to the Hikurangi Union recommending that work he resumed.