THE HUNTLY STRIKE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15938, 4 December 1913, Page 7

THE HUNTLY STRIKE.

STATEMENT BY THE DIRECTORS,

(P£n United Pbess Association.)

AUCKLAND, December 3.' The directors of the Tanpiri coalmines have issued a statement in which they say: ''If the company .'has deliberately picked out men for dismissal because of their active interest displayed in trade union matters, why has no attempt been prosecute the company by a very simple and inexpensive process.' The whole of the facts could have been elicited and the grievances, if any, of the discharged man fully ventilated. It is significant that no such suggestion has been made by the union. The only inference that can bo drawn is that the company has not committed any breach, of the Act, nor has it ever been suggested that it has committed any breach of agreement, What is the cause of the complaint against the company? The only cause of complaint that remains, then, is that the company; has exercised its undeniable and legitimate right of discharging workers, and in doing so giving due notice, but giving no reason. Reasons in plenty have been invented and circulated, but no attempt has been made to justify the statements made, although a plain simple way is provided. The company has no quarrel with unionsim. No sane employer can have. The company had no quarrel with the Miners' Union at Huntly, nor would have so long as the terms of the agreement were observed. Tlie union has asserted that the directors have pursued a policy of "pin-pricking" or ' "irritations." this assertion the directors unhesitatingly deny. The directors have, however, contended, and do still contend, for the right to manage their own business, a tight which the union seeks to take away, substituting a ballot under union supervision to determine which men in the company's employ shall be discharged." The statement then deals in details; with allegations of victimisation.