MINERS’ STRIKE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IV, Issue 223, 21 August 1931, Page 7

MINERS’ STRIKE.

WORKINGS LEFT UNATTENDED. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Aug. 20. A serious situation developed at Wilson’s collieries at Hikurangi this morning when, owing to a dispute with the management concerning pay, 178 men, including all branches of the mine staff, withdrew from the mine and removed their tools and other belongings. As the mine lias been left unattended there is grave danger that the workings will be flooded, and that other nearby mines will be affected. The miners are paid standard wages of 18s a day, less 10 per cent., .provided that a satisfactory tonnage is produced. When the tonnage is less through no fault of the men the company makes up the wages to standard rates. Earlier in the week some of the men did not earn standard wages, but the company refused to make up the amount, considering that in this eose the miners involved should have earned their wages and that it was through their own fault that they did not do so.

■ Representatives of the mine union executive waited on the management yesterday and contended that the cause of the reduced tonnage was the difficult nature of the section at present being worked. Owing to the refusal of the company to make up their earnings to the standard wage all miners ceased work yesterday. A deputation again waited on the management this morning and asked for a reconsideration of the former decision. The management’s stand was maintained, and at a general meeting of all union members, it was decided that all the men should be withdrawn from the mine. As this decision includes boiler firemen, pump attendants, and engine drivers, the mine is left in a serious position. Unless the pumps are kept working the mine will flood and may jeopardise the safety of other workings in the vicinity.