KAITANGATA MINE

Otago Witness, Issue 3430, 9 December 1919, Page 30

KAITANGATA MINE

THE "GO-SLOW" POLICY.

MEN NOT UNANIMOUS.

The stop-work meeting held hy the Kaitangata minors on the sth was short, and the expectations that some definite steps would be taken were not realised. The miners are not at all unanimous in the matter of "go-slow," and it is said that only a few adopted the method on the sth. The following notice was posted at the mine on Wednesday: "The New' Zealand Coal and Oil Co., Ltd. " Kaitangata, December 3, 1919. "To the Kaitangata Employees. "We regret very much the frequency of stop-work meetings, and the recent decision to adopt a policy to fritter away time for a bare wage. As you know, an offer has been made to increase the piece-workers' wage by 10 per cent, and the wage-man's i-ate by 15 per cent. We agree that the cost of living is high, but you must admit that tho condition of the worker is not improved by refraining to work and in deciding to accept a small wage when a much higher pay can be earned in the same time by doing an honest day's work. Surely. i£ a meeting is necessary, it can be held after 3 p.m., when most of the men are free, and without interfering with your daily work. ,; Now, so far as T am aware, the management have no dispute with their workmen; we aro working under a registered industrial agreement, and as this agreement expires in a short time we are orepared to" meet your representatives in the matter of a new agreement to be registered under the Conciliation and Arbitration Act. . " Men of common sens© must admit that an agreement which is not binding on both sides is absolutely useless, and that it is to tho best interest of all concerned, including workmen, management, and the public, to work harmoniously together.—l am yours sincerely, (Signed), W. C ARSON", mine manager."