S.I. COAL MINES

Hokitika Guardian, 7 January 1933, Page 2

S.I. COAL MINES

BUSINESS' QUIET AT PRESENT

THREE STILL OUT ON STRIKE

(Per Press Association — Copyright.)

DUNEDIN, January 6. ■

Business in the coal trade is very quiet, but that is only to be expected at this time of the year. The mines in Otago and Southland were dosed down' for ten days,- and resumed work on January 4th.

The men’in the Linton, Wairaki,’ and Mo6sburn. mines harm, however,been an strike for three.’ months now, and notices have been*;ppsted’ up in these mines that they will;be re-open-ed on January -8. This' apparently means that the owners’; terms of employment, which were rejected three months ago, .are to be enforced; and that if the miners will not accept them, 1 an attempt is to be made to introduce free labour. The trouble in the three mines mentioned arose chiefly over the hewing rates, which the men refused to accept. The men in the other mines in Otago and Southland are working -under the varying agreements that .were reached between the men and the owners. Although the Southland Coal Owners’ Association will have the Linton, Wairaki, Mossbnnk and Black Diamond mines onen for work on Monday it .is considered unlikely that the striking millers will take advantage of the opportunity to efitei- the pits. The men are holding another meetling on Sunday, but it, is believed that the outcome will! not affect the present situation, as far as .commencing work on Monday is concerned. ..