PETTY MINE DISPUTES MUST STOP

Northern Advocate, 31 March 1938, Page 7

PETTY MINE DISPUTES MUST STOP

-MR WEBB

L Special To "Nortnem Advocate .”,l AUCKLAND, This Day, In an endeavour to put an end to the frequent disputes that have led| to work stoppages in Waikato' coalmines, the Hon. P. C. Webb, Minister of Mines, the Hon. W. Lee Martin. Minister of Agriculture, and representatives of the directors and managers of the companies and of the Miners’ Union executive, conferred at Huntly yesterday. It was generally agreed that the stoppages for small matters should cease. Minister Dissatisfied. Mr Webb said his reason for calling the conference was his dissatisfaction with the situation’existing in the Waikato coalmining area. He had done his utmost to infuse a spirit of co-opera-tion and goodwill among those in the industry, and, on the whole, result had been most gratifying. He said he thought he was entitled to expect from the industry a cessation of the irritating stoppages that had occurred in the Waikato. It was the duty of both owners and workers to see that the supply of coal was hot checked by petty disputes. Commonsense Must Prevail. Mr Webb emphasised that, he wanted it understood that stoppages over petty differences must cease, and that commonsense and co-operation must prevail. These stoppages made those engaged in the industry look ridiculous in the eyes of the community. A motion of thanks to Mr Webb for the views he had put forward was carried by the meeting.