WEST COAST COAL TROUBLE

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11652, 17 October 1923, Page 2

WEST COAST COAL TROUBLE

WHERE THE PUBLIC COMES IN. (To the Editor, “N.Z. Times.”) Sir, —Writing recently on the above question, we -emphasised the foolishness that is being shown in the stoppage of work at the mines on the West Coast. We have noted that the employers have announced several times that the men can return to work whenever they are prepared to by the award. It seems to be quite unreasonable to be talking about a lookout when the work is actually waiting for the men. to take up. Those trade unionists who are in employment under awards of the Arbitration Court will soon get tired of making payments to keep men out, simply because they object to the a ward they Were, working under.

Whilst the -Conciliation and Arbitration Act is the. law of the land it is in the interest of the public that awards made by the Arbitration Court shall bo fully respected. If either party to tlie award is allowed to flout the decision of the court by resorting to some form of direct action, then the law becomes of no effect. It is desirable in the interest of the public that an end should be put to the trouble that is now going on. We desire to see a settlement made ns early as possible on right lines. To make a patch-up of tho trouble, however, which would stand 1 as an encouragement for similar outbreaks later on does not appear to us a proper solution. In the past there have been instances where the conditions of awards have been thrown on one side and “goslow,” oi other practices, .resorted to with the conviction that the Government or other mediator would come in and patch up the trouble, thereby saving tho face of those who had taken tho course of “direct action.” That sort of thing leads inevitably to repitition, and the recurring of these troubles is certainly not in the public interest.

The first thing that should be innisted on firmly is that the industry shall be resumed by the miners returning to work under the terms of tho award that both the mine owners and themselves are bound by. When that is done, then the Minister for Labour may reasonably press upon both parties that they meet in conference, under come independent chairman, and candidly discuss any questions of grievances relating to matters outside tho award. The tassel has taken place, and in general the public has marked it as foolishness. The big words and specious pleas are having no effect. It seems to us that now is the opportune time for settlement by the application of commonsenee. Let the men return to work under the award, and the employers show a willingness to confer on [ other matters so that the industry can be put on a basis of permanency, and bo freo of froqoent stoppages to (the advantage of all concerned.—We .are, etc., N.Z. .WELFARE LEAGUE.