PREVENTING STOPPAGES

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19597, 31 March 1938, Page 18

PREVENTING STOPPAGES

COAL MINING DISPUTES MINISTER MEET*S MEN AN AGREEMENT REACHED (Per Press Associatioii.) ’ AUCKLAND, last night. J Suggestions designed to put an end -J to the frequent disputes that have led 1 to the stoppage of work in the Wai- ‘1 kato coal mines for varying periods, 1 were discussed at a conference held j in Huntly to-day, attended by the | Minister of Mines, the Hon. P. C. ’’ Webb, directors and managers of the coal companies and the Miners’ Union executive. During the conference the discussion became somewhat acrimonious at ;« umes but a desire was expressed on both sides that the stoppage of work t for minor reasons should cease. A suggestion made by Mr. P. Hunter, Glen Afton, that a council comprising the union executive and managers ', should meet once a month to discuss $ any matters that might arise in con- j nection with the working of the mines A was unanimously adopted, and was ] regarded as a happy means of set- • tling any minor disputes that might . occur in the future. Mr. Webb said he had called the conference because he was not at all satisfied with the situation that had existed in the Waikato coalmin- % ing area ever since he had been in »; charge of the Mines Department. Trouble had occurred before, but since , he had become Minister he had done . his utmost to infuse a spirit of co- ■ operation and goodwill among those engaged in the industry. « Industry’s Responsibility Notwithstanding the harmony and goodwill the Minister said he tnought ; ne was entitled to expect from the U industry, the cessation of work and irritating stoppages had occurred in J the Waikato. The responsibility of « supplying the country with coal rested > on,the shoulders of those engaged in ■ the industry, and it was the duty of both the owners and the workers to J see that the supply was not checked i by petty disputes. Mr. Webb said he was wholly opposed to the importation of coal, , except for gas making. The demand fo r coal generally had increased, and .■ no mines were waiting for orders. There was some difficulty in securing . sufficient railway rolling stock, but everything that could be done by the „ Government to improve the was being done. Sometimes the own-,1 ers tried to wield the big stick, and' at other times the men adopted an irresponsible attitude. In the past the Miners’ Federation and the owners) used to come to an agreement and' adhered to it faithfully. ? Mr. Webb said he wanted to see) the same spirit recaptured. The Min- , ister said he wanted it understood | that stoppages over petty differences .' must cease and that common sense ) and co-operation must prevail. There was no question o r -- 4 v politics involved, said Mr. Webb, but, 1 in the interests of the whole country, it was desired that any dispute that might arise should be referred first A to the local disputes committee and then, if necessary, to the national dis, outes committee. On no account-, should work cease until all constitu- - ’) Honal means of settling differences had been exhausted, and the Minister > and the department had been advised.