Labour.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13638, 4 July 1908, Page 3

Labour.

A MINING DISPUTE. A SECONDARY CONSIDERATION. A special telegram to the Dunedin "Star" fiom Thames states that ttie principal topic of conversation on tiie golclfiilds at the present time is as to what is likely to be the outcome of the dispute on the question of co-operative contracting ill the Wailii mine. Varied opinions are expressed. While one proffers the opinions that the miners would not go so far as to strike, there are many others who believe that if the demands of the men are not agrted to there will be a cessation of work, and the mine closed down. If such does happen it will mean a serious dislocation of labour and business, for as soon as the output trom the mine ceases it means that 1,500 men will be deprived of their means of livelihood ■ — at any rate, in that channel. The gold duty, the .principal source of revenue for the borough, which has an overdraft of £20,000, will cease, and the borough in consequence will be deprived of its revenue. All public works must necessarily stop. There would be a general stagnation of trade at Waihi and Waikino, where the big battery is situated, while outside districts would be more or less affected.

As Wailii depends) much upon the principal mine for its very existence, a cessation of work would be one of the most serious events that has taken place in the industrial history of the Dominion. It is sincerely to be hoped that the extreme step will not be taken, but the men say that they are determined that the presentsystem of private contracting should be ended, and all given equal chance. If this is not conceded they will cease work. The dispute as lo tilie system adopted' by the company of letting contracts privately, which the men object to, alleging that "it enabled the company to discriminate to the disadvantage of those who, under the public tender system, would have an equal chailce of securing a contract-.

At one of the liveliest and largest meetings it was decided that all men working on a'contract should become partners in the same, no wages men being employed; members not complying wun thus nue to be expelled from the union. Mr. M'Naughton, who moved in this direction at- Hie meeting reiermt to, uiid has taken a pronvinena pari- in -tJi-a agitation, says that, he moved in the matter on account of the seething discontent prevalent in connection with the internal working of the system, with the object of avercing an inevitable crisis and placing the industry on a more solid basis as regards workers, mine owners and investors.

ill conversation with a prominent Waihi mmer he expressed the opinion that the men would strike unlres their demands were agreed tq.

I asked : " JJo you .seriously suggest that a strike is likeiy to result from the cliepntt—a strike that would affect thousands and simply paralyse the whole district? Jt means a serious thing for the rtisu-ict, you must admit?" "It would be a serious thing for the district," was the reply. '• Of that there is no doubt. Jt would injuriously afiVct the men, t|ie mine shareholders, trade, and everything. But our demands are perfectly' reasonable, and pereonally I cannot see that tfie company can b« injuriously affected. Proyided tl)© ciiange is effected, the work would he done jist the ean|e, the cce.t woflld nqt he increased ii> the company, arid •j.lw protits on the contrac's would be equally distributed. On the- Other hand,' if the mine is shut dn?rn, look at th<- injury that would result with such immense reef systems and Ihe large amount of quar.z that has to be sent to the batteries each month. Great damage would be sure to occur, to the mine if closed down for some time."

• Prominent members of the Thames' Miners' Union, to whom the matter was mentioned, agreed that, considering the great width of the reef system and the very extensive worts that have to ;be carried out, considerable damage woald necessarily be done to the mine should

operations cease. "It would be nothing short of a calamity," said President Sawyer. It is to be hoped that wiser counsels will prevail, and that in some manner the extreme step of a strike or the shutting clown of the mine will be avoided. A large number of men think the matter can be amicably set Jed without .recourse beinej made to tlie extreme step. It is quite possible that a number would ba willing to stick to the company. Mr Barry has promised, in reply to the Waihi Miners' Union demands, to extend to the utmost the system of cutting work into small contracts, but states that he is unable to give up the right to let tendtis privately. Thus matters stand at present. The prevailing opinion is that a grave, crisis is on hand, but it. is hoped that if coiiciliatory measures are not successful tho matters in dispute should be arbitrated upon. Such a calamity as the closing of llie Wailii mine, one of the la'rgtet bullion producers in the world, should be prevented.