ACTION BY UNIONISTS

Otago Witness, Issue 4032, 23 June 1931, Page 49

ACTION BY UNIONISTS

WESTPORT, June 10. The president, secretary, and treasurer of the Westport Waterside Workers’ Union waited on the station master in charge at Westport this afternoon, and stated that the union had decided not to handle coal from the Cascade and Charming Creek mines, which are run on the co-operative, or, as the union alleges, the tribute system. In reply to a question, the members of the deputation stated that Ji n °t handle the Cascade or Gbarming Creek coal that was now in the railway yard, but would handle any other coals. Yhe Katoa and the Komata are due on Thursday to load coal from these two mines. The trouble has arisen through the ieilure of negotiations, which have been going on for some time between the cooperative company and the Miners’ Union. On Wednesday last the company commenced developing their holding, which is a little to the north of the Blackball Company s old working, and at once met with objections from the union. Several meetings have been held to discuss the position, but a strong difference remains between the parties. The company, whch has been formed with £4OOO capital, has Mr W Balderstone, a prominent Labour supporter, as its secretary. Attending a meeting of the /’’non a few days ago, Mr Balderstone stated that it was the intention of the company to work the new mine, employin’ Y, min ors who were resident in Blackball. He also indicated that no Provision existed to restrict the supply of coal to the Blackball Coal Company. The new company would, in addition, exercise 'r® right to sell on any market. i \”J ect ’? n to the proposals was recorded by the union until the dispute between the union and the Blackball Company had been settled. The negotiations then bioke down, and the co-operative company p>it jts plans .into operation, and hae continued its working. Meantime, members of the union have openly declared their intention of resorting to' means of stopping the operations. BITTERNESS OF THE STRUGGLE rugby matches affected: ti , WESTPORT, June 20. -i-i bitterness of the mining struggle which has taken many forms, 'including entry into the social life of the community, took a new turn to-day when it was responsible for two senior Ru-by matches not being played. Old Boys lined out on the field at Westport for mi 1 v ’ lt n tl,e Rorers of Granity. Ihe latter followed, but stated that they Ilot P ay ,inJeSs a member of the Old Boys team who works at the Cascade mine withdrew. Old Boys stood by their miner player and the Rovers withdrew from the field.

A somewhat similar happening occurred at Ngakawau. where the Ngakawau senior c * ec li ne d to play unless a member of the United team, who is also a miner at Cascade, was dropped. United would oot agree and the match was not played The Komata and Katoa both sailed for VXel.ington to-day, neither having attempted to ship Cascade or Charming Creek coal. W’hat action it is intended to take to test the waterside workers’ decision not to handle these coals is not yet disclosed, but developments are expected next week. BLACKBALL COMPANY’S DISPUTE UNION'S ALLEGATION REFUTED. WELLINGTON, June 20. Mr T. O. Bishop, secretary of the Coal Mme Owners’ Association, has issued a statement to-day in reply to Mr M'Lagan, secretary of the mine workers, concerning the dispute between the Blackball Company and the union. He alleged that Mr M’Lagan’s statement that the company set itself absolutely against union labour and was not prepared to settle the dispute on reasonable terms was utter nonsense. The company had endeavoured to work with the union in all things affecting mining operations. In spite of the fact of losing money since the conference with the union i n Wellington on February 16, the company had invited tenders for preparatory work with the object of reopening another section of the mine in which it was believed mining miaht be profitably carried on. If satisfactory tenders were received the work would be commenced. The company had also leased an isolated portion of its freehold area to a party of miners which commenced work on a section of the mine formerly worked and now permanently abandoned. The company was doing no mining at present, and there was therefore nothing to settle with the union.