TAUPIRI COAL MINES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15549, 5 March 1914, Page 8

TAUPIRI COAL MINES.

440 MEN AT WORK.

OUTPUT NEARLY NORMAL.

POSITION IN THE NORTH.

Since work recommenced, on January 6, the Taupiri Coal Mines have gradually resumed their usual aspect of activity, and at the present time, according to Mr. EW. Alison, chairman of the company's directorate, the output of coal is almost normal for the period of the year.

When the strike began there were 579 men on the payroll, but that time of the year was a particularly busy one, and more men were being employed than usual. On the. recommencement of operations, 75 men started, who had joined the newly-formed Taupiri Coalmine Workers' Industrial Union of Workers. The old employees have been steadily drifting back since then, and accepting the conditions of membership of the union, and at the present time the total number at work in the two mines —the Extended and Ralph's— is 440. Mr. Alison stated that about 60 more men are required to make up the full complement, and he hopes that this will be effected within a month. Strict observance of the terms of membership of the union is being insisted on: No member may be in any way connected with, or controlled by, any organisation allied with the Federation of Labour, or similar body. Mr. Alison intimated that, according to the latest information from the mines, at no timo since he has been chairman of directors has there been such smooth and harmonious working as at present. The employees, ho said, are working for good wages, under exceptionally favourable conditions, and there is prevalent on both sides a feeling of general satisfaction. Work in the Hikurangi and Northern mines is also proceeding very satisfactorily. On the collapse of the strike, plenty of men offered their services, but then there was not sufficient work available to employ them, as the largo supplies of imported coal were meeting the demand for the time being. At present, however, work is proceeding apace, and the whole of the output is being easily disposed of.