THE STOCKTON DISPUTE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21198, 2 December 1930, Page 13

THE STOCKTON DISPUTE.

THE ARBITRATOR’S FINDING. ACCEPTED BY UNION UNDER PROTEST. (Peb United Pbess Association.) GREYMOUTH, December 1. Mr A. M'Laglan, the secretary of the United Mine Workers, to-night made the following statement regarding the Stockton mine dispute:— ” A general meeting of the Stockton Miners’ Union yesterday condemned the action of Mr C, D. Betts, the Independent chairman in the new shift dispute, in not giving a straight-out decision in accordance with the terms of his appointment and the union repudiated Mr Betts’s so-called recommendation which he had no authority to make and which carried not the slightest weight. At the same time the union recognised the company’s determination to enforce the new shift which is contrary to the provisions of the agreement, but rather than expose members to the effects of a long-continued lock-out it decided by a small majority to work the new shift under protest. The union calls attention to the company’s, breach of the agreement drawn up last June, and the arbitrary action of the management in locking men out because they refused to abandon their agreement, such action being regarded as an ironical commentary on the coal ownerfc’ alleged respect for the sanctity of agreements.”

The decision arrived at by Mr Betts was couched in the following terms; — “My finding is that the management seeks to improve the output by putting on extra or extended shifts on wet places, the object being to improve the output so as to enable the coal to be produced for the locomotives earlier on the daylight shift, and also to employ the truckers for the full eight hours. In the circumstances I think the management is Justified. I would recommend the men concerned and the management to co-operate to the very fullest extent for their mutual benefit and the successful working of the mine. I might also point out that the Buller Progress League has done its level best in trying to bring in the use of New Zealand coal only, and also in inducing bunkering trade for this port with some measure of success. The railways are now using 100 per cent, of New Zealand coal, and if there is not some measure of continuity of supplies this trade is likely to go elsewhere to the detriment of the mining community. On the evidence produced, I therefore recommend that the miners should, give effect to the proposals of the management.”