IDLE FOR DAY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24619, 29 May 1941, Page 6

IDLE FOR DAY

THREE STATE COAL MINES " DIRECT ACTION " BY WORKERS 'The Liverpool, Strongman, and James mines, states a Greymouth report, were idle on Tuesday because of the failure of the Railways Department to provide transport for the "wet-time" workers at the Liverpool mine on the previous day. It is stated that the reason for there being ; no work for the train at Rewanui on Monday afternoon was that on Saturday about 48 wagons for Christchurch were loaded at Rewanui, and there was consequently a shortage of wagons. Most of the men who were on "wet time " at Liverpool on Monday walked to Dunollie. The president of the State Miners Union, Mr G. E. English, made the following statement on the position: "In conformity with the decision arrived at, at a miners' meeting on Wednesday, April 2, the State mine was idle on Tuesday because no ' Wettime ' train was provided. "to convey the ' wet-time' .men to their homes ron the completion; of their . day's work. The men did not desire any special favours or concessions,- but contended that they were entitled to a reasonable service, which included reasonable facilities to enable them to get to their homes on the'completion of their day's toil. "On Monday 38 men were left at the Rewanui Station at 2.30 p.ni. until the evening train came down at about 4.35. It was a bleak day, with heavy rain, and the only accommodation was in a small waiting room, with no heating, or in carriages and waiting in the cold. Such treatment was unfair and. unjust, and seeing that an engine could \ easily have come up the hill and taken the men down, they were naturally indignant at such inconsiderate treatment. They considered that direct action was the most likely way to have their just grievances rectified. as other methods did not seem to bring forth satisfactory results.'' Mr English added that he was taking the matter up with the Minister of Mines, Mr P. C. Webb, to endeavour to have some adequate transport provided for the " wet-time " men. He had negotiated with officiate of the Railways Department at Greymouth without success, and as negotiations did hot seem to bring satisfactory results, direct action was considered the most likely way to have the union's just grievances rectified. It was announced that the miners ■ had decided to resume work yesterday.