QUARTZ MINE STRIKE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22212, 15 March 1934, Page 9

QUARTZ MINE STRIKE

THE POSITION UNCHANGED LONG FIGHT ANTICIPATED. (Per United Press Association.) GiIEYMOUTH, March 14. The position in regard to the quartz mines i.s unchanged. The Miners' Union. anticipating a long struggle, is accepting the offers of live Labour members of Parliament with mining experience to tour the Australian metal fields in order to obtain support and also the offers of other Labour members of Parliament to tour New Zealand for the same purpose. On February 25 last the Waiuta Miners' Union (Blackwater mines) decided by 195 votes to nil .in favour of a strike for better wag"s end working conditions. The union askod for an increase of 3s a clay in wages, except in the case of certain hands, where an equivalent increase was asked. It also sought a riveday week, overtime variations, ait increase in wet time rates, and a reduction of house rent. The company offered, to restore the 1931 Arbitration Court cut for miners and truckers not earning more than 14s a day, but only while gold is worth £0 an ounce in London and the exchange is not below 15 per .cent. This would involve the restoration.of the 7i per cent, cut, and would be equal generally to Is a day. On February 27 the men in the\ Alexander mines decided,, with only five dissentients, to come out along with their fellow unionists at Blackwater.