STILL IDLE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 226, 25 September 1942, Page 4

STILL IDLE

WAIKATO COLLIERIES MINERS CHANGE DECISION ONLY TWO MINES OPERATING ' Hamilton, Sept. 24. The confused situation in the Waikato coalfields was aggravated further to-day by a deci ion of the men at the Rotovvaro and Alison collieries, who returned to work yesterday, to fall into line again with the mon at the other affected mines. With the exception of the Mangapeehi mine, where the men decided yesterday to resum° work this morning, and at the Wilton colliery, all mines in the affected area were again idle to-day. The idle mines now comprise Pukemiro. Glenafton, MacDonald. Renown, Rotowara and Alison, the only two operating today being the Wilton and Mangapeehi, which were the last of the mines to go out on strike on the issue of thp minimum wage dispute, which originated at Pukemiro. This morning the men at the Rotowaro and Alison mines who reside in Huntly boarded an early train with the intention of going out to their pitheads, but after a short interval thev left the train and remained in Huntly. Generally it is understood that the men are demanding a clarification of the original issue, and until the minimum wage dispute has been settled they will not consider a resumption of work. MINERS BALLOT WILL BE HELD TO-DAY (P.A.) Auckland. Sept. 24. “I have received information that an agreement was reached to hold a secret ballot to-morrow of all men in the Waikato mines to ascertain whether they will work the coalfields under State-controlled conditions.” This statement was made by the Minister of Mines, the Hon. P. C. Webb, to-day. Replying to a ciuestion, Mr. Webb said he believed the men would vote solidly for the resumption of work provided the mines were State-con-trolled. The Northern District Union would conduct the ballot. Mr. Webb added that the State coal mines produce one-ninth of the total coal output, in New Zealand. He did not think that because of the Government’s decision regarding the Waikato mines other privatelyowned mines would desire to be controlled by the State. The Government's decision was not due to the war effort. DIFFERENCE OF OPINION STRIKE HANDLING METHODS Wellington. Sept. 24. Though no oflicial statements are available from those concerned, it is believed that there has been a difference of opinion within the War Administration concerning the method of dealing with the Waikato mining strike, particularly in connection with the enforcement or otherwise of the prison sentences imposed last Friday on the Pukemiro miners. Political repercussions appear to be possible, and colour is given to this by the report that Parliamentary members of the National Party have been asked to hold themselves in readiness to attend a causus next week, probably on Tuesday. From rumours in circulation in Parliament Buildings it seems that the question of the introduction of State control of the Waikato mines as a war measure in order to restore immediate production was discussed at a meeting of the War Administration and the domestic Cabinet on Monday night. The deputy-chairman of the War Cabinet and Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Holland, is understood to have expresed disapproval of the course proposed to be taken, and according to gossip in the lobbies he left the meeting after making his attitude plain. He said, in reply to a question yesterday, that at the present moment he thought it was not desirable that he should either affirm or deny the statement. OPPOSITION CAUCUS TO DISCUSS POSITION Wellington, Sept. 24. Asked whether in view of the Government’s announced intention to take over the control of the Waikato mines he would be convening a caucus of the Parliametary Opposition, Mr. Holland, Leader of the Opposition, said he had to-day notified all members that a meeting would be held on Tuesday evening in Wellington. FLOUTING OF LAW Wellington, Sept. 24. Only two members of the Wellington Harbour Board, Mr. J. O. Johnson and Mr. J. W. Andrews, dissented from the following motion moved by Mr. Will Appleton and carried at last night’s meeting of the board:— “That this board voices its strong disapproval of the action of the Waikato miners in the attitude adopted by them and supports the Government in every way in settling the present dispute on constitutional li ne s.”