MINERS THROWN IDLE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18021, 21 February 1922, Page 6

MINERS THROWN IDLE.

CLOSING OF BATTERY.

ABOUT 100 MEN INVOLVED.

PROVIDING OTHER EMPLOYMENT. |BY TELEOBAPH.—OWN COBRESFONDENT.] WAIHI. Monday.

While the closing down o? the Waihi Grand Junction battery will cause considerable distress in Waihi unless other employment can be found for the workers involved it will perhaps not be so serious as was anticipated in some quarters. The company's managing director, Mr. S. Leah, this morning siaid that an immediate result of the decision of the directors to close the mill had been the service of notices of dismissal to somo 20 workers, mostly battery and surface hands. Others would be dispensed with from time to time, and the exact number could only be determined as time went on, but would probably reach something like 100 all told, including certain of the underground men for whom provision could not be made on the development scheme laid out by Mr. Stansfield in his report. News that no more than 100 workers will be rendered idle is more reassuring than the reports circulated when'the intention of the company to close down the mill was announced. It is, however, quite serious enough in a community in which the total number of workers employed in and about the mines is approximately 700. As the majority ol the men arc married it is to bo hoped that the efforts being made by the Mayor to persuade the Public Works Department to provide employment on the Waihi-Athenree branch of the East Coast railway will be attended by success. This would keep the workers in the district until such time as the battery is reopened. As a means of assisting to absorb a number of miners who will be thrown out of employment the superintendent of the Waihi Gold Mining Compary, Mr. E. G. Banks, has suggested to Hi- secretary of the Ohinemuri Mines and Batteries Union that the night shift should be resumed underground. If this is agreed to the Waihi Company will find employment for some of the men. Mr. A. Parker, union secretary, has convened a special meeting of members for to-morrow evening to consider the proposal.