FUTURE OF COAL MINE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21289, 16 September 1932, Page 13

FUTURE OF COAL MINE

NEGOTIATIONS WITH MEN PROPOSALS NOT ACCEPTED DECISION EXPECTED TO-DAY [BY TELEGRAPH —OWN COBRESPONDENT] WHANGAREI, Thursday The position concerning the Waro Cooperative Collieries, Limited, remains unsettled. A deputation comprising Sir. L. J. Stevens, a director of the Hikurangi Coal Company, Limited, Sir. F. W. Wilson, secretary of Wilsons (N.Z.) Portland Cement, Limited, and Sir. T. H. Wilson, manager at Portland, waited upon the directors of Waro Collieries this morning and asked that the drawing of the pumps from the mine be abandoned. The deputation offered to contribute £l5O weekly for two weeks toward payment of running the pumps. This offer was made to give a breathing space, in the hope that upon the return of tho Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, Slinister of Public Works, from Ottawa he would be able to do something to assist the position. After considerable discussion the directors stated that they could not accept the offer as the overhead expenses of working the mine was £240 weekly. The directors put alternative terms to the deputation, that they would recommend the men to keep the pumps going if the deputation took 400 tons of coal weekly in addition to the £l5O offered. Eight Hundred Tons Weekly The deputation said it could not accept those terms, but suggested meeting the miners to ascertain their views on tho matter. The men were met early this afternoon and the position placed fully before them. The men would not countenance either of the proposals, but said they ■would keep the mine free of water for a period of two weeks if Wilsons Cement Company would take 800 tons of coal weekly as in the past before the expiration of the agreement. Sir. F. W. Wilson said that he would have to get in touch with Auckland, and upon being communicated with. Sir. S. Eeid, general manager of the company, said that his personal opinion was that the company would not agree to these terms. Keeping Pumps Working At this stage Messrs. Stevens and F. W. Wilson asked the directors to defer drawing the pumps until the directors of the cement company could be consulted in Auckland in the morning. Slessrs. Stevens and Wilson then left hurriedly to catch the last train for Auckland. The directors of the colliery then placed the request before the men, who agreed to continue hewing boiler and domestic coal to keep the pumps working until the result of the conference in Auckland could be known. It is expected that word will be received at 10 a.m. to-morrow.