COAL MINE IDLE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22200, 29 August 1935, Page 10

COAL MINE IDLE

DISPUTE IN BULLER MEN TO BE DISMISSED SIXTY-FIVE GIVEN NOTICE TROUBLE OVER AN EMPLOYEE [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] WESTPORT. Wednesday A dispute at the Westport-Stockton Coal Company's mine, which commenced on Sunday last still continues, and the latest development is the issue of notices dispensing with the services of 65 men It is stated that the trouble arose over the contention by an employee of the company that he had a prior right to an appointment that was given to another man, and that the unsuccessful candidate was supported by the miners About half of the employees at the mine are said to be affected by the notices of dismissal. A conference between the management and the Miners' Union executive on Monday afternoon was abortive, and yesterday the horses were taken out of the mine. Mr. T. McGhie, the manager, said it was his intention to \vork the mine on a single shift when work was resumed although if the men were prepared to go back he was quite willing to work double shifts until the expiry of the notices a fortnight hence. He hs.d offered to the miners' deputation on Monday, he said, to carry on with the double shifts if they would resume then but their refusal had resulted in the decision to dispense with a number of men, with the result that those who remained would get much better time in the mine, having worked only half, time for a considerable period. It is understood that the miners' case in the dispute has been put in the hands of the Buller Miners' Central Committee.