GO-SLOW MINERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 24826, 24 February 1944, Page 4

GO-SLOW MINERS

' MILITARY SERVICE

ANOTHER CHANCE GIVEN (0.C.) GREYMOUTH, Wednesday Reserved decision in the appeals against military service by 116 employees of the Strongman and Liverpool State mines, which were reviewed by the Armed Forces Appeal Board in Greymouth on Monday, was delivered by the chairman, Brigadier-General W. Meldrum, this morning, as follows: In all the appeals now under review the original appeals were made by the superintendent of State coal mines on behalf of the reservists on the grounds of public interest. Coalmining has been declared an essential occupation and, under instructions from the National Service Department, it has been the policy of appeal boards to grant a postponement of service in the armed forces in respect of all employees in the industry who are working satisfactorily. In cases where a reservist s work has been unsatisfactory, or his attendances irregular, it has been the practice of this board to adjourn the hearing of the_ appeal for a term to give the reservist a further chance of making good. If at the adjourned hearing it is proved that his work and attendance have become satisfactory, sine die adjournments have been granted. This practice has had uniformly good results.

Sudden Drop in Output In the cases now under review, it is contended on behalf of the Crown that the men are not working satisfactorily, and that no further postponement of their service in the armed forces should be granted. Evidence has been given to show that, after January 31 last, meetings of the Runanga State Miners' Union were held, and a policy of goslow was started at both the Liverpool and Strongman State mines. In the past three weeks there has been a sudden drop in the output of coal from both mines of over 33 per cent. Evidence was given to show that attendances at work had become irregular. On the evidence submitted, the board was of the opinion that during the past three weeks neither the work of the reservists nor their attendance have been satisfactory. The board considers it proved that a go-slow policy has been adopted by the members of the union, and that all the reservists who are members of the union must be held to have participated in its adoption.

The Main Considerations The main question for the board to consider is whether the evidence before it would justify it in varying the practice it has hitherto found successful. The great increase in the number of cases does not alter the principle. It is influenced, moreover, by the following facts: First, there is a shortage of employees in the coalmining industry, and the present production of coal is inadequate to meet essentia] requirements. Second, the manager of the Liverpool mine said that 90 per cent of the men are all right, but 10 per cent are not. The board has no doubt that, if given a chance, these 90 per cent will mend their ways and will help the other 10 per cent to do so, too. Cases of Married Men On these grounds the board adjourns all the appeals under review to Wednesday March 15. If the result then shows that the reservists are doing good work sine die adjournments will be granted If not the board will have to dismiss the appeals. With regard to the 12 reservists who have asked the board to dismiss the appeals made on their behalf as they wish to serve with the armed forces the board adjourns these also to March 15, but makes an intimation that the management should make every effort, in the meantime to have their places filled.

The board then proceeded to deal with 163 cases of married men. It gave the same decision as in the cases of single men. Dealing with twelve men who had expressed their willingness to serve overseas the chairman said similar adjournments and recommendations would apply.