MOSSBANK MINE TO REOPEN

Southland Times, Issue 25483, 2 October 1944, Page 4

MOSSBANK MINE TO REOPEN

State To Assume Control

NO ADVICE RECEIVED BY COMPANY

According to a telegram received on Saturday by Mr E. W. Hunt, secretary of the Nightcaps Miners’ Union, from Mr A. V. Prendiville, a member of the Coal Mines Council, the Mossbank Mine, which was closed down on September 23, is to reopen today under Government control. On Saturday night a message was broadcast asking the men concerned to report for duty at the mine this morning. From inquiries made yesterday it was learned that the directors of the Mossbank Coal Company knew . nothing about the reopening of the mine until they read a newspaper announcement or heard the broadcast message. It was stated that negotiations between the company and the Government had been mooted, but that nothing definite had been done. However, it was pointed out that under the war regulations" the Government had power to reopen a mine that had been closed and carry on production. After it was announced that the mine would be- closed, the Minister of Mines, Mr Webb, indicated that the State would be willing to take over the mine on the basis of the liquidation value and would endeavour by necessary expenditure to place the mine on an economic basis.

The telegram which Mr Hunt received from Mr Prendiville read: “After considering the position the State has agreed to open the Mossbank mine on Monday. I trust the men will get in behind them and make this venture a success.” It was reported a few days before the mine was closed that a suggestion had been made to the miners that they should take over the mine and run it on a co-operative basis. However, it was stated that this did not appeal to the men. About 50 men were employed at the Mossbank mine, which had an output of 100 tons a day.