WORK AND WAGES

Southland Times, Issue 18967, 14 June 1923, Page 5

WORK AND WAGES

THE MINERS’ VOTE. DOUBT CAST ON REPORT. (Per United Press Association). WELLINGTON, June 13. According to a press Association message from Greymouth the proposal for the establishment of a Federation in each mining district, instead of the national form of organisation, as at present is favoured by miners of the West Coast by a majority of 200 votes was rejected in all other districts. If the information is correct, the West Coast Unions, which for some time have been of a disruptive disposition, are the only ones which support the proposal. The secretary of the New Zealand Miners’ Federation, Mr P. O’Rourke, has received no official advice as to the result of the plebiscite vote on the Coast and telegraphed for further information. The published report is regarded with uncertainty on account of the discrepancies in the figures. According to the present advice the Blackball and Roa Union and Millerton Union carried the proposal by 154 to 51 votes and 277 to 118 votes respectively, while it was turned down by the State miners by 170 to 108 votes. Mr (XRourge stated that supposing the result indicated was correct, the voting did not reflect the opinion of the majority of the miners on the West Coast. The telegraphed message stated that the Ngakawau Union figures, had not come to hand, but that they were not likely to alter the result. As against that, however, the Denniston Union which consisted of about 40 miners, had declined to take a ballot. It was clear that a large majority of the Union were opposed to the separation movement.