The Go Slow Strike

Huntly Press and District Gazette, Volume 5, 23 February 1917, Page 3

The Go Slow Strike

WAIPA MINES DECREASE IN TWO WEEKS The chairman of directors of the Waipa Collieries’ Company, Mr Hannay, paid a visit to the Waipa Mines last week, prein connection with the alarming decrease in the production of coal at the mine duriug the last few weeks. As the result of his enquiries there is no doubt in Mr Hannay’s mind about the seriousness of the position. The last fortnight’s operations at the mine had shown a decrease of production of over 800 tons, and on Friday 14 i men absented themselves from their employment, presumably to attend the' Hamilton races. It is not so much the loss to the shareholders of the Company that we should be concerned with, Mr Hannay thinks, but the loss to the community. Coal, like everything else, is subject to the law of supply and demand, hence a decreased supply of coal means higher prices for this most essential commodity. On the consumers, therefore, will fall the burden of the miners’ rash tactics. At a time like the present the Company is willing to meet the men in anything that is reasonable, as they consider that the present time is one for mutual sacrifice. No reasons, however, are assigned for the recent disposition of the Miners' Union to restrict the output of coal, so that the Company is at a loss to understand what the men really want. Coal is an essential commodity for the successful prosecution of the war, said Mr Hannay, and any interference with its production should become the concern of the people, though their representatives, the Government. He hoped the matter would be taken in hand by Parliament,and measures introduced that would at once summarily deal with either party, be they employers or employees, who showed a disposition to retard production. Since the above interview, it will be noticed that the Government has caused regulations to be gazetted, which will, it is hoped, effectually guard against the restriction of production in what has been defined as essential industries. Ngaruawahia Advocate.