MINERS ON STRIKE

Northern Advocate, 17 February 1926, Page 4

MINERS ON STRIKE

j DISRUPTION AT HIKURANGI. j TWO TRUCKERS DISMISSED. j UNION OFFICIALS AFFRONTED, I(Siioci:il to “Northern Advocate.") HIKURANGI, This Day. i Another strike has occurred at the ITikurangi Coal Company’s mine, the i men coming out on Monday afternoon I last.

Details are somewhat hard to procure, but it is said that two youthful truckers, Buchanan and Rowe, wanted to go to a dance at Whakapara. In order to get away they are alleged to have left a certain portion of their work undone, as a consequence of which an accident occurred, several skips or trucks going off the line, and thereby the work of trucking was hampered. On the truckers making their reappearance at work, it is stated that the mine manager, Mr. Dickson, remonstrated with Buchanan and Rowe and gave them the option of either having the case put before the Miners’ Union or being discharged. The men decided to take their discharge. Subsequently the whole of the men employed in the mine came out in sympathy with the discharged truckers. Over 100 men are affected.

It is stated in some quarters that when some of the members of the Union executive went to interview Mr. Dickson in connection with the matter they met with a very discourteous reception, and it is alleged that none of the men will return to work until an apology for such -treatment of the executive members is forthcoming from Mr. Dickson. Colour is lent to this, as this morning a conference opened between a representative of the company from Auckland, Mr. Dickson and the executive of the Minors’ Union.

It is not thought locally that the trouble will spread or be of lengthy duration. THE LATEST. Our special reporter telegraphed as follows at 2.27 this afternoon: The conference is still in progress. Deputies and boilermcn are keeping the pumps in operation at the mine.