IDLE DAYS AT MINES

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24104, 24 October 1941, Page 6

IDLE DAYS AT MINES

It is unfortunate for the Minister of Mines that nearly every time he issues a strong statement about insisting on uninterrupted production, some section of the mine-workers manages to make him look foolish. After conferring with representatives of union and owners in the Waikato on Monday Mr. Webb described how he had told them that if either companies or unions stood in the way of greater production, they would be brushed aside. That very day the whole labour force at two State mines in the South Island, the Strongman and James Collieries, declined to work because of the dismissal of a trucker. Now the Strongman has lost another day because certain truckers objected to losing pay for time they did not work. Whatever the rights or wrongs of either case, both should have been capable of settlement by the use of a little common sense and forbearance, without these stoppages, of which the public is becoming increasingly impatient. Instead of lecturing the Waikato industry about its responsibilities and duties, Mr. Webb should have been preaching his gospel to the State employees on the West Coast. The record of the Waikato regarding stoppages is not without blemish, but threats of discipline are needed much more at the State collieries. Until the Government puts its own house in order Mr. Webb cannot expect his heroic declarations to be taken seriously. Moreover, public opinion will not be satisfied indefinitely with mere words when what the country needs is more coal and fewer frivolous interruptions of production.