WAIKATO MINES.

Wairarapa Age, 5 July 1932, Page 5

WAIKATO MINES.

OPENING FOR WORK TO-DAY.

OWNERS’ DECISION. MEN ADVISED TO RETURN. AUCKLAND, July 4. The decision of the mine owners to throw the Waikato Mines open for work to-morrow morning was announced, following a meeting of representatives of the Taupiri, Pukemiro, Glen Afton and Renown Companies. This meeting was held to discuss the action to he taken in view of the rejection hy the miners of an offer of a new agreement made hy the mine owners.

The owners announced that the mines would be open for work to-morrow morning and that in the event of a sufficient number of men not reporting for work by 8 a.m. on Wednesday, other steps would be taken to carry on work at the mines. It was made clear that employees absenting themselves would be deemed not to have any claim for work as late employees. The owners counsel the men to return to their employment, when they will be assured of fair treatment, irrespective of what part they may have taken in connection with the strike. Notices announcing the owners’ decision to reopen the mines were posted at the mines to-day, but aroused little interest. Miners’ officials seem confident to rely upon the decision of the men as expressed at the recent ballot.—(P.A.) ONE MINE WORKING. NO SHORTAGE IN AUCKLAND. AUCKLAND, July 4. . Except for about 100 tons daily from the Wilton Collieries, there are no supplies of Waikato coal available in Auckland, but distributors state there is no shortage, as most of them have plenty of Westport and Newcastle coal, which is sold at 2s 6d per sack more than Waikato coal. About 135 men working in Wilton Mines are producing about 420 tons daily. They are working under a separate agreement, similar in terms to that under which all. the northern district miners worked before the present dispute. The managing director said to-day that the company was rationing orders, and there was no hope at the present time of supplying the Auckland demand.

None the companies whose miners are on strike have been able to supply coal for about a fortnight.—(P.A.)

SHORTAGE IN HAMILTON. HAMILTON. July 4. As the result of the Waikato coal mines strike an acute shortage of coal is now being experienced in Hamilton, and many coal merchants are unable to cope with the demand. Wood is being “p 4 ® xtensiv ely for firing purposes.— BALLOT AT HIKUBANGI. CONTINUANCE OF STRIKE FAVOURED. xr-i WHANGAREI, July 4. The Hikurangi Miners’ Union decided by a substantial majority to reject strike WnerS terms and e °ntinue the

REPORT denied.

THE WEST COAST MINES.

CHRISTCHURCH, July 4 Representatives of the Brunner Coltenes at Wallsend and of the Grey Valley Colleries at Dobson state HnntlZZ”/™ 1 ’ 1 ia the ™POrt from I h , the Wcst Coast miners * sto P w ork on Wednesday.—(P.A.)