COAL STRIKE

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXII, Issue 148, 8 June 1932, Page 7

COAL STRIKE

NO NEW DEVELOPMENTS ALL UNION MINES AT GREYMOUTH IDLE, CO-OPERATIVES CONTINUE WORKING. By Telegraph—Press Association Greymouth, June 8. There are no new developments in the mining strike. All union mines remain idle, but co-operative mines continue working and it is expected that the orders now held by the big companies will be diverted to these. It was stated by the owners to-day that the only solution of the trouble appeared to be for the mines to go on the co-operative system, as with overhead expenses and stoppages the mines were not able to pay. Almost all the co-operative mines on the Coast supply household coal and it is authoritatively stated that with the extra time being worked these will be able to meet requirements. UNION PRESIDENT’S STATEMENT. By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, June 8. A statement dealing with the coal strike in the Waikato was issued to-day by the president of the Northern Miners’ Union, Mr R. L. Roberts, who said that the workers considered that they had been locked out as a result of the owners’ action, for they were compelled to remain idle pending opportunity to discuss objectionable clauses in the owners’ terms. A mine manager’s right to engage and dismiss men had always existed, and the union did not dispute it in this instance, and was at a loss to know the owners’ intentions with reference to this point. The only safeguard the union insisted on for the protection of members was the proviso that they would not be unfairly treated. MINISTER’S APPEAL. By Telegraph—Press Assocation. Tauranga, June 8. In connection with the coal miners’ strike the Hon. C. E. MacMillan, interviewed this morning, said he would urge the coal owners and miners to exercise the greatest moderation in an attempt to solve their mutual difficulties. He appealed to the coal-consum-ing public to exhibit its loyalty to the industry by continuing its recent policy of not importing coal. Thus only could the inevitable added distress caused by the stoppage of production be reduced to a minimum. The Minister leaves for Wellington to-morrow afternoon. COLLIER PAID OFF By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, June 8. The Union Company has paid off the collier Komata as a result of the ininers’ strike. It is possible that colliers will still be sent to Greymouth, whore large quantities of coal await shipment. A collier is due in Wellington next week from Newcastle, but it is understood that the coal she is bringing is for the uso of the gasworks. LOCAL COAL SUPPLIES. SHORTAGE NOT EXPECTED. The consensus of the opinions expressed to the “Tribune” to-day by the larger coal merchants in Hastings and Napier is that there are large enough supplies of coal on hand to tide over the probable duration of the miners’ strike, and that there is no present prospect of a rise in price. The latter announcement will come as welcome news, and the merchants in making it say also that there is no need to feel any alarm with regard to supplies. One large firm in Napier has adequate supplies for two months or more, and similar reports were received from coal merchants in Hastings. None of the yards are over-stocked, said tho manager of a Hastings firm, and the recent cold snap, which came earlier than usual, caused an appreciable depletion of the quantity on hand. Unless the strike lasted an unexpectedly long time, however, there was not likely to be any shortage. There was no question of raising the price. One firm in Napier reported that many customers who had previously been advised to buy more heavily than usual, but who had not done so, were now to some extent rushing in with increased orders, in some instances double the original quantity. There was no need, however, for any panic.