THE MIXING DISPUTE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11686, 22 June 1901, Page 6

THE MIXING DISPUTE.

AWARD REJECTED BY A BRANCH OF THE UNION. GENERAL BALLOT TO BE TAKEN. [BY TELEGRAPH.OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Kaßangahake, Friday. A WELL-attended meeting of the Karaugahake branch of the Thames Miners' Union last night, unanimously decided to reject the Conciliation Board's award in the recent mining dispute. Thames, Friday. At a meeting of the Executive Council of the Thames Miners' Union, held this afternoon, the question of whether or not the executive should accept, on behalf of the union, the award given by the Conciliation Board in connection with the recent miners' dispute, was considered at length. After the matter had been fully discussed the executive decided that the onus of accepting the award, or otherwise, should be left in the hands of the members of the union, and for that purpose a meeting of the union members will be held on the evening of the 29th hist., for the purpose of appointing a day to take a ballot upon the question.

THE KOMATA REEFS TROUBLE. [BY TELEGRAPH,OWN' COIUIKSI'ONUE-Sl'.] Thamp.s, Friday. At a meeting of the Executive Council of the. Thames Miners' Union this afternoon; the Komata Reefs dispute was discussed, and Mr. James Hardman. the vice-presi-dent of the union, was appointed to wait, upon Mr. Brown, the general manager of the mine in question, with the object of endeavouring to arrive at some, amicable arrangement between that gentleman and the miners, re the single-handed system. I'jkkoa. Friday. A manager of one of our leading mines, and one who has had considerable experience in mining in various parts of the world, in course of conversation with me this afternoon, referred to the trouble at the Komata Reefs, and expressed himself as being surprised at the action of competent miners in refusing to use the > single-hammers. He said that the system obtains in nearly every part of the world where mining ape-rations are conducted, and he cannot understand men, who profess to be miners, refusing to work tinder the conditions- desired by Mr. Brown. Matters have not improved at the Reefs, and, I understand, a system of boycott prevails. Several men who went up to work, I am informed, could not procure either accommodation or provisions, and consequently had to leave again. This, of course, cannot last, and if the Miners' Union cannot provide competent miners, it is stated that men are to be imported.