TROUBLE OVER BUS FARES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 299, 17 December 1937, Page 7

TROUBLE OVER BUS FARES

MINE WORKERS STOP WORK [ Per Press Association ] AUCKLAND, Dec. 16. The McDonald mine at Huntly was idle to-day following a demand by the men employed there that the operating company, Glen Afton Collieries, Limited, should meet the recent increase in the workers’ bus fare by granting a subsidy of 3d. About 50 of the 200 men employed at the mine travel to and from theit homes in Huntly by bus each da> and recently the bus fare was increased from 2s to 2s 4d a day. It was understood the Mines Department would contribute Id and the company was asked to find the balance of the increase of 3d. This the company refused to do, and the mine was rendered idle. On behalf of the men the Northern Miners’ Union communicated with the Minister of Mines (Hon. P. C. Webb) and the secretary of the United Mine Workers’ Union (Mr A. McLagan). At a meeting this evening a telegram from. Mr McLagan was read to the men. In this they were advised to return to work and they were promised that a conference to discuss the question In dispute would be arranged to be held early next week. It is stated that the men agreed to resume work to-morrow morning. There seems little likelihood of the trouble spreading to other mines in the district. It is understood a similar request in regard to meeting an increase in the bus fare was made on behalf of 50 of the men employed by the Renown Collieries, Limited, and that the cc.npany agreed to find 3d towards the increase, the balance of one penny being promised as subsidy by the Mines Department