STOCKTON MANAGER’S DECISION JUSTIFIED.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19240, 29 November 1930, Page 2

STOCKTON MANAGER’S DECISION JUSTIFIED.

EFFORT TO IMPROVE OUTPUT, SAYS ARBITER. Per Press Association. WESTPORT, November 28. The following is the decision of Mr C. D. Betts, independent chairman, in the Stockton dispute:— “My finding is that the manager seeks to improve the output by putting on extra or extended shifts on wet places, the object being to improve the output so as to enable coal to be produced for locomotives earlier on the day shift, also to employ his truckers the full eight hours. In the circumstances I think he is justified. This company have been very unfortunate, in that they have had a long career of ill-success, therefore I would recommend the men concerned and the management to co-operate to the very fullest extent for their mutual benefit and the successful working of the mine. “ I might also point out that the Buffer Progress League has done its level best in trying to bring in the use of New Zealand coal only, also in inducing the bunkering trade for this port, with some measure of success. The railways are now using 100 per cent of New Zealand coal, and if there is not some measure of continuity of supplies this trade is likely to go elsewhere to the detriment of the mining community. “ On the evidence produced I therefore recommend that the miners should give effect to the proposals of the management.”