THE MINING TROUBLE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 13949, 4 January 1909, Page 5

THE MINING TROUBLE.

DEADLOCK AT REEFTON.

SIX HUNDRED MEN AFFECTED.

[Br TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

Reeftok, Sunday. * A meeting of 300 miners was held last night to consider the question of the medical certificates. The meeting was not open to the press, but it is understood that it was reported that no agreement had been come to with the employers. Messrs. J. Colvin, M.P., and P. J. O'Regan addressed the meeting. Ultimately it was decided that no member of the union should go to work to-morrow. The only miners working in the district will be. the tributers at the Golden Fleece. The mines affected are the Progress and Globe Mines, New Big River, Keop-it-Dark. Energetic, Wealth of Nations, New Ulster, St. George, Big River, and the Welcome Syndicate. All the battery hands have also decided not to go to work. It is calculated that 600 miners are directly employed in the mines affected. Great indignation is expressed against the Government., as it is held that its ill-considered measure is the cau«> of the trouble. Previously there was no dispute between employers and men. Exception has also been taken to tho statement of the member of ' the Labour Federation, who was reported by the New Zealand Times to have said that 75 per cent, of the miners are affected with the miners' complaint. Mr. Sample, president, of the Miners' Federation, saysthis statement is not correct. The -utmost good order prevails. It is held that as the men wero discharged on December 23, there is no compulsion on them to go to work.