MINING NEWS

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13660, 31 July 1908, Page 5

MINING NEWS

WARNING TO DREDGE MEN.* Per Press Association.' WELLINGTON, July 30. The Hon. Mr McGowan has handed-to the Press Association a letter received'fey the (Governor from the British Consulate at Puntws Arenas, Chili, l'tfipectmg' the position of Now ' Zealanders' wliq gc>';ont under contract as dredge masters. Tliefie men had been induced to 6ign contracts in New Zealand.. The letter , says , that)'' while the contracts are perfectly, good in the Dominion, they arc worthless"in Chili, and vcannot be legally enforced. . ; Tiha' writer (Vice-Consul) > states that, a short tinie ago three men from a particular firia who had been dismissed ■ without 'notice, oMfing to the bad ; returns of the dredg«s 4 could not sue, as their contracts, had nbti beeft legalised. Of couiee, tli'fe dredge owners would not consent to legalisation when they wanted to get rid of their contract. The Vice-Consul had to' advike their taking what they could get r : "ThjS£e Were,''' the letter continued, "a.t the present moment some six, or eight, men brought out to Fnntas Arenas . who had not received any wages for more thai* three months, and who were at present almost destitute and waiting for sortie recognition which, had "been promised thein. These facts were stated in order that hisi Excellency may be in a position to stop these young men going to that country for the following season which begins'in about four months' time." , Th& Vice~ Consul states that at the present time the ■whole of the Chilian lawyers were. making fun jof these i contracts which were; continually being brought iip in tlxe; ;c6urSs rihdii' rwhich wene very ;gailling :-for tha British t public living .there. ; . /