THE N.Z. MINERS' TROUBLE.

Northern Advocate, 4 December 1916, Page 4

THE N.Z. MINERS' TROUBLE.

J'APAKOA MEN OUT. MEETING OF IST ATE MINERS. (By Telegraph.—Press Association). GHEVMOI'TII, Oi'cember 2. The J.'nparoa miners at Roa ceased work to-day, partly in sympathy with the Blackball men and partly due to a dispute as to pillar working's. The management in tiie latter connection is prepared to pay the same rates for pillar workings as the Liverjjool ytate mine, where the seams are considered similar to the Paparoa. The miners are holding a meeting tomorrow. At a meeting of the State miners last night a report was received from the delegates who had been in Wellington In connection with the dispute, and the restricted output conditions prevailing for some weeks and a motion that restriction be lifted was defeated, and further motions were refused, the meet ing being dispersed without definite netion being decided upon. A further meeting is to be held. Last night's meeting passed a resolution calling on the Minister to exempt the headmaster of the Ruuanga school, who was selected for active service in fast week's ballot, on the ground that his services were indisyensable. WELLINGTON, December 2. The .Minister for Labour, in conversation with a reporter stated to-day he elieved the Blackball miners' strike would quickly end. It certainly had received all round discouragement, even from the Miners' Federation leaders. But the position is not yet free from risk of trouble. There is something ominous in the Miners" Federation attitude, which disapproves of this sectional strike, bur heartily approves of its object, to protest against the Compulsion Art Mr ISemple, the Miners' Federation organise], and Mr U. Arlnii kV. ;• member of the executive, gave a joint interview to your corespondent tonight. They made it dear t• at the ; i!a«-k ■•;::! miners i-;;iae out on ti.eir own responsibility. "There is a bitter feeling," they said, "amongst miners regarding conscription. We are not favourable to sectional action being taken on such a subject to light a mighty issue of such a kind. If the working classes in New Zealand wish tn fake effective action, it must be in a businesslike way. The executive is particularly anxious that whatever is done shall be done in a way that is effective, consequently, action on the part of any small section at this stage of the game is undesirable. As an executive we stand definitely opposed to conscription, and we believe that is the feeling of thouasnds of other unionists. There is rising indignation, which is bound to manifest itself before long, if the law is not modified." AVellington still hears rumours of impending waterfront (roubles, but they appear to be only rumours, The watersideiV imi fi'H'iir.', sitting in Auckland, is the i-i.nit rolling factor. It is reported to favour v demand for increased wages in handling this season's wool and meat output. Mr .1. Jones, president of the Miners' Federation, and Mr->Semple will reach Auckland today, with the object of placing matters connected with the industrial situation before the run fere , nee. I lersfand f-onsi-riptioii will be one of the subjects raised Messrs Arlmckte and O'lvorke, of the miners' executive, will address the Blackball miners, mi Sunday.