EMBARGO LIFTED.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LI, Issue 197, 22 July 1931, Page 6

EMBARGO LIFTED.

HANDLING OF COAL RESUMING. Per Press Association. WESTPORT, July 21. The embargo on the handling of Charming Creek and Cascade coal, which has lasted for close on five weeks, has been lifted, and work will be' resumed on the waterfront at 8 a.m. to-morrow. QUESTION IN THE HOUSE. In the House, of Representatives today, replying to Mr H. E. Holland, Mr ’Forbes said he had received a communication from the Alliance of Labour asking that the Government arrange a conference between the Charming Creek and Cascade coal mine owners and representatives of the workei-s’ unions affected with a view to securing a settlement ot the matters in dispute. Hus reply had been that work was first to be resumed and after that an officer of the Mines Department would be sent to inquire into the matter’s in dispute. If his report was to the effect that a conference might be helpful it could possibly be arranged.

The decision not to handle coal from the Cascade and Charming Creek mines, on t>ke ground that it was mined under the “tribute” system, was made by the Westport Waterside Workers’ Union on June 16. The president, secretary, and treasurer of the union waited on the stationmaster in charge at Westport that afternoon and informed him of the decision. In reply to a question the deputation stated that tne men would not handle Cascade or Charming Creek coal now in the railway yard, but would handle any other coals. On June 30 something in the nature of a bombshell was sprang on Harbour Board employees when notices of dismissal were served on 19 quarrymen, who finished up that day, and 38 others, whose services were dispensed with on the following Saturday. This action was taken consequent tn the hold-up of shipping at tne port through the watersiders’ refusal to handle Cascade and Charming Creek coals.

MINERS’ UNION SUED

Per Press Association

GREYMOUTH, July 21

A claim for a penalty of £SOO from the Grey Valley Miners’ Union for an alleged breach of section 15 of the Labour Disputes Investigation Act, in that there was an unlawful strike of members on June 17 at the Wallsend Mine, was made by the Labour Department in the Magistrate’s Court to-day. The manager, Mr Smith, stated that the mine was idle during three shifts. Witness last May received a letter from the union secretary, Wm. Purdy, who was named as defendant in the charge, requesting that one Walker, who was a member of the Briandale tribute party, be not employed as surveyor in the colliery. Walker, however, was employed surveying in the mine on June 17. A meeting of miners was held after the miners had ascertained that Walker was employed, and idle shifts followed. The union vice-president had later stated that the men would take a holiday any time Walker was employed. Witness stated that Walker was not an employee of the company as surveyor, although a member of the tribute party at Briandale. Defendant Purdy produced the union’s minute book showing that the union in May resolved to request the company, not to employ Walker. The union, however, convened no meeting to instigate a strike. Witness had told Mr Davies, the inspector of awards, who prosecuted. * that the mine would probably be idle if Walker worked there. Mr Brosnan, for the union, contended that there was no evidence that the union had instigated the stoppage. The inspector had failed to prove the charge. Mr Davies argued that no dispute existed, but the letter of the union secretary, combined with the action of the officials and the stoppage, proved the alleged breach. Mr Meldrum, S.M., held that while there was a suspicion of union responsibility, no proof of it had been adduced. " He dismissed the information.