TAKING UP A CHALLENGE.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 September 1942, Page 2

TAKING UP A CHALLENGE.

originally small dispute at the Pukemiro colliery has reached proportions in which 1,300 mine workers in the Waikato are idle, involving a loss in coal output of nearly 3,000 tons a week, which will mean a heavy curtailment of train services and other serious consequences. This hold-up has been described justly by the Minister of Mines (Mr Webb) as a declaration of war on the State, and the position calls obviously for immediate and drastic action. According to the Minister, the Huntly miners have been led away by a few men playing “the part that Hitler and Tojo would desire them to play.” The hold-up “is not the wish of the miners of this country,” Mr Webb declared. “It is tlie work of a few who wish to set themselves up as dictators. . .” If the Minister is right, a quick remedy is possible. The State has ample power to deal, with would-be dictators. If he is wrong, the situation calls still for instant and drastic action. It is plain that, as matters stand in the Waikato mines, work that will help the enemy is being done within our gates.