MINERS RESUME.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15500, 6 January 1914, Page 8

MINERS RESUME.

WORK AT HIKDRANGI.

PLENTY OF MEN AVAILABLE

SATISFACTORY OUTPUT.

CEMENT WORKS SUPPLIED

POSITION AT HUNTLY.

Work was resumed yesterday in the Hikurangi and Northern coal mines, which have been idle for the last two months. Every precaution was taken for the protection of those miners who wished to resume work, and no trouble occurred during the day. More men applied for work than could be employed. Work was found for about fifty men in the Hikurangi mine, and for about forty men in the Northern mine, the numbers employed prior to the "trike being about seventy and seventy-five respectively. Amongst those who applied for work were 15 miners previously employed, but they were refused admission, owing to their sympathy with the doctrines of the federation.

The output from each mine was quite satisfactory during the day, end it is anticipated that the mines will be in full working order within a few days, which will mean the employment of more hands. When the strike started a number of the older and more experienced miners left the district in order to seek employment elsewhere. With the return of normal conditions it is expected that many of them will come back to their old work.

Since the strike began a large quantity of coal has been imported, and, as more is still expected to arrive shortly from outside the Dominion, the demand for the local product will not be very great just yet. This may cause a little delay in the employment of full staffs in the mines, but as soon as the stock of imported coal is exhausted, the demand will become normal igain and each mine will be able to employ its full complement of men.

The greater part of yesterday's supply of coal from the mines went to the New Zealand and Wilsons Portland Cement Companies, which will thus be enabled to resume almost at once, the companies having found it necessary to close down during the strike. The various dairy companies have been kept going by coal worked by mine officials, in spite of a strong protest from the " strike committee."

The period of idleness has been utilised in overhauling the coastal colliers. Two of these are now in dock, and one is on the slips at Henderson. They will be ready for sea in a couple of days and will immediately resume their running.

SATISFACTION IN DISTBIOT. THE STRIKERS' LOSSES. [BY TELEGRAPH.— CORRESPONDENT.'] Weanoarei, Monday. The old Hikurangi Miners' Union held two meetings on Saturday, and in consequence a body of men waited upon Mr. Nelson, manager of the Northern coal mine, in ordtr to ascertain their position. It is understood that with a few exceptions the strikers wen- invited to restart work. There is a feeling of soreness on the part of a small section of the strikers who have not as yet obtained re-employ-ment, but on the other hand the majority of the men are appreciative of the spirit in which the employers have met them, and particularly in regard to the recent agreement, which was made at a conference in Auckland with the new arbitration union.

At Limestone Island, where 150 men were idle as the result of the cessation of coal supplies from Hikurangi, work will again be i/i full swing in the course of a day or two. The greatest satisfaction is expressed throughout the district at the end of the strike, which extended over a period of eight and a-half weeks. It is estimated that in that time fully £12,000 was lost in wages.

PREPARATIONS IK HTJNTLT. 'AMPLE PROTECTION. IMMEDIATE START EXPECTED, j [BT TELEGRAPH.OWN CORRESPONDENT.] I ,'. t/ntly, Monday. The strike entered upon its twelfth, and from all appearances, it last week today. There appears to be no doubt that the Extended mine will work to-morrow, and the advent of the police, who arrived i on horseback and by train to-day, with the prospect of an increase by the last train, shows that the directors are determined to reopen the mines. When questioned to day, Mr. W. Wood, president of the old union, stated that the men were solid in their determination not to resume work, but he would not hazard a conjecture as to the number likely to respond to the call of the whistle. On the other hand, Mr. S. Dixon, president of the new union, and the other two officials, were sanguine of success, and thought that 60 would be a somewhat conservative estimate. The plans for tomorrow, Mr. Dixon stated, had been fully prepared, and all workers could be assured of ample protection. At a meeting of business men held last week it Whs proposed to send a delegate to meet the directors of the Taupiri Company with a v' w to devising means for a ccmp'Dmise, but, after discussi >n, an amendment was can ied to the effect that to interfere at the present time might intensify the position, seeing that the company had become a party to a new industrial "agreement, which had been duly filed. The meeting, accordingly, decided not to intervene A case w.- 'jp-Ar* to-day before the justices c' to. 1 r. r who fined the offender 10s and Cora fo; .diking a miner who had signified his intention of going to work on Tuesday. GOLD MINES WORKED. POSITION AROUND WAIHI. [BY TELEGRAPH.— CORRESPOND3NT.] Waihi, Monday. Mining and milling operations at the Waihi and Grand Junction mines (Waihi) and the Talisman and Crown mines (Karangahake) were resumed to-day after the holiday vacation. It will, however, be a day or two before the mines are fully manned. WEST AST POSITION. NO TROUBLE EXPERIENCED. [BY TELEGRAPH.— ASSOCIATION.] Westpobt, Monday. Work was resumed at the Westport Coal Company's and the Westport - Stockton Company's mines to-day. No trouble was experienced. At Denniston 500 men, Millerton 471 men, and Stockton 130 men are employed. Two of the enginedrivers at Denniston, regarded as prominent in connection with the industrial strike, were given notice that their services wera not required.