TAUPIRI DIRECTORS CONSIDER THE POSITION.

Wanganui Chronicle, Issue 12856, 29 October 1912, Page 5

TAUPIRI DIRECTORS CONSIDER THE POSITION.

A CLEAR DECISION.

AUCKLAND, Oct. 28

The directors of the Taupiri Coal, Mines, Ltd., met to consider l;he position regarding the Huntly mines. After nearly four hours' deliberations, the directors came to a decision, the following official statement of which, was given to a "Herald" representative uy the chairman (Mr E. \V. Alison): A statement has appeared to-d-ay to the effect that it is the -intention of the workers at Huntly to rtsuine woric. .No official notification of such intention has been given to the company. Assuming, however, that such is the intention of the workers, the directors regard it as essential that the present position as between the company and the workers shall be defined and clearly understood, it will be remembered in the notice published by the directors under date of October Bth, and posted at the pit-head, tue difficulties likely to arise if the course then suggested were adopted were plainly indicated. Ine action of the woricers in, refusing to resume work when thtwhistle was sounded on October i-i-i» and the following days, has confirmed and emphasised their previous step, and serious consequences necessarily olio w, and of which warning was given, viz., that the provisions of the existing award, by which both the company and the workers were bound, are suspended and the hours of work, wages and other conditions of work for ail workers under the award are left open to be fixed by agreement between the company and individual workers. This being the position, the directors desr> to state the conditions upon which 'ndivictual workers, excepting those whose services have been dispensed with, will now be employed:

1. For the time being the hours of work will be the same as those contained in the now suspended award. 2. The directors state definitely -and. clearly (a) that they are prepared to enter into a new agreement between tho company and a union duly registered under the Industrial Conciliation, and Arbitration Act, (b) that they will not under any circumstances recognise or enter into any agreement with the Federation of Labour.

Mr Fletcher, mine manager, was present at the directors' meeting, and he was instructed to nost a notice to the

above effect at the pit-head on his return to Huntly at 8.30 o'clock this evening.