STATE INTERFERES

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18068, 20 April 1933, Page 9

STATE INTERFERES

WAIKATO COAL DISPUTE INVESTIGATION ORDERED (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, last night. The stoppage of operations at the coal mines of the Renown, Taupiri and (Jen Alton companies, where no work has been done since last week is to be investigated by the Under-Secretary oi Mines, Mr. A. 1L Kimbell, who is expected to arrive at Auckland on Friday morning. The visit of the Under-Secre-tary is the result of intervention by the Minister of Alines.

The throe companies concerned have received the following telegrams from the Minister: "With the object of ascertaining the facts regarding the existing troubles at the Waikato collieries, the Under-Secretary lias been instructed by me to meet representatives of the companies concerned at Auckland. I shall be glad, therefore, if you are able to be present at the Chief Post Office next Friday.” The message has also been received by the directors of the Pukemiro and Wil'.on collieries, although work is still proceeding at their mines. Advice has been received in bluntly ! that. Mr. Kimbell will confer with the representatives of miners at Huntly tomorrow. There is no likelihood of a ( resumption of work in the mines until : after the result of the meeting between j Mr. Kimbell and owners. I Tt is known in Huntly that a protest ) against State intervention in the dispute was made bv Mr. W. R. Holgate, j president of the New Zealand Coa] Aline Owners’ Association. “The association ! is quite capable of looking after its own affairs,” be said. "I intend to ascertain which company has been responsible tor seeking State intervention and, when I do. I will make a further statement on i the position.”