GO-SLOW AT MINE

New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24559, 15 April 1943, Page 2

GO-SLOW AT MINE

DISPUTE OVER BONUS SECTION OF SURFACE MEN (0.C.) HUNTLY, Wednesday A section of the surface workers at the Mac Donald mine ; Huntly, have adopted a go-slow policy since Monday as a protest against the management giving a bonus to other surface workers employed at the mine and refusing to give it to them. When contract trucking was introduced it was decided that the management would give a bonus to the shift men and the surfacemen who actually handled the coal, in compensation for their extra work due to the increased output. The other surface men considered that all surface workers should receive the bonus and are protesting by going slow. Members of the executive of the Northern Miners' Union met the Minister of Mines, the Hon. P. C. AVebb, in Huntly this evening, to discuss the dispute.

When the matter was referred to Glen Afton Collieries, Limited, in Auckland yesterday, it was stated that the original arrangement between the company. which owns the Mac-Donald mine, and tlie employees had been complied with fully. WORK DURING DISPUTES RESOLUTION AT MILLERTON (P.A.) WESTPORT, Wednesday A resolution that the men were prepared to co-operate 100 per cent, with the Government in its war effort and that every endeavour would be made to produce the maximum output to assist in the successful prosecution of the war was carried unanimously at a meeting of the Millerton Miners' Union after an address by Mr. H. Prendeville, act-ing-chairman of the United Mine Workers' organisation, and a member of the Coal Council. The resolution stated that all future disputes would be put through the machinery provided for dealing with them and that work would continue in all disputes. The Millerton mine was idle for several days last week as a result of a dispute. ROAD TRAFFIC THE LEFT-HAND LAW ADVOCACY OF CHANGE

Strong advocacy of a change from the left-hand to the right-hand rule of the road in New Zealand at the end of the war was made by Mr. C. M. Rich white at a meeting last night of the council of the Automobile Association (Auckland). The council, after a brief discussion. agreed to defer the matter until the next meeting. There would never be a better opportunity for the change, said Mr. Richwhite. At the end of the war most of the motor vehicles-now in use would probably be well worn, and many American vehicles with the left-hand drive would remain in the Dominion. The economic loss to the country through having to pay from £2O to £6O for the changing of the drive of each American mass-produced vehicle imported would be saved. Most of the world, other than Britain, Australia, New Zealand, parts of Tndin. Belgium and Czechoslovakia, followed the right-hand rule of the road, Mr. Richwhite continued. It was even possible that Britain might decide to change. Some members considered it would be advisable to inquire first from England as to the possibility of such a course being followed there before the association proceeded further in the matter. PRISONERS IN JAPAN RESTRICTION ON LETTERS (P A.) WELLINGTON. Wednesday The Postmaster-General, the Hon. P. C. Webb, stated that recent advice received from the International Red Cross committee indicates that civilians interned in Japan proper are permitted to despatch weekly two letters in Japanese, each letter containing not more than 500 characters, or. monthly, one letter in English containing not more than 100 words. The Minister added that the camp authorities decided to number the letters or cards war prisoners in Japan and Japanese-occupied territory and civilians interned in Japanese-occupied territory were allowed to send. DROWNED IN BATHS BOY LEAVES HOSPITAL (0.C.) GISBORNE. Wednesday The body of a nine-year-old Maori boy named Main, of Cape Runaway, was found in the swimming bath at To Puia on Saturday afternoon, and at an inquest held a verdict of accidental death was returned, no blame being attachable to anyone.

In evidence given at the inquest it was stated that the boy had been in hospital for about six weeks, having come from Cape Runaway with a broken arm. On Saturday lie had apparently wandered from the hospital, and when he could not be found a search was made for him. It was also stated in evidence that all convalescent patients who are able to walk about were warned not to leave the grounds. SHORTAGE OF JERSEYS The difficulty of securing football jcrsevs and other equipment was referred to at last evening's meeting of the Auckland Rugby League. The Rationing Controller, Mr. J. E. Thomas, advised .that individual football clubs must make early application to the local rationing office, and arrangements would then be made to provide gear. The letter pointed out, however, that with the coupon issue, the requirements should be kept down as much as possible. The chairman, Mr. J. W. Watson, appealed to all clubs to adhere strictly to the request of the controller.