STRIKE OFF

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 227, 26 September 1942, Page 4

STRIKE OFF

MINERS’ BIG VOTE FOR RESUMPTION WAIKATO COAL DISPUTE BACK TO WORK ON MONDAY (P.A. Auckland. Sept. 25. An outright majority of 287 votes in favour of resuming work was recorded in the secret ballot of miners, held to-day in connection with the Waikato coalmining dispute. This result, which ends the strike that commenced on September 3, was announced in Huntly to-night shortly after 6 o'colck. when the complete returns had been received from 10 voting booths. Details of the voting am:— In favour of resuming work and allowing the dispute to go before the Disputes Committ >e 715 In favour of continuing the strike until the minimum wage is paid 428 Eight votes were informal and there were 1151 votes recorded. All Waikato mines were idle today for the purpose of taking the ballot, and at Mangapehi work ceased early to enable the mon to vote. There were comparatively few miners about when the returning officer posted the results, as the stormy weather mad n conditions outdoors extremely unpleasant. The news spread quickly, however, telephones being busy, while those who scanned the notice made notes of the figures and hastened back to their homes in various districts to inform neighbours. Them were many expressions of satisfaction at the result, which will enable the mines to resume work on Monday. POLITICAL SITUATION WILL NATIONAL MEMBERS RESIGN? WAR ADMINISTRATION SEALS Wellington, Sept. 25, The decision to hold a caucus of the Parliamentary Opposition next Tuesday raises a number of intriguing questions, and Mr. Holland's statement on his attitude has increased interest in the political situation. Whatever the developments of next week, the stability of the Government will not be involved, as Labour has a substantial majority in the House, and if it loses the administrative assistance ci ai.y section of the Opposition, the Government could continue its control of the war effort Two questions being asked are: Whether Mi. Holland, after consulting his party, may decided to resign from the War Administration, and if so whether the same step would be taken by the Minister m Charge of War Production. Mr. Poison the Minister ot National Service, Mr. Broadfoot, and the Minister ot Civil Defence, Mr. Era H IF. It is not felt I hit the two other Oppos’tion mem * h-s o* the War Adpia st ration, Mr Crates and Mr. Hl-ini ton, are likely to withdraw from active sup.jo t o* the Governr.tiit. When the cl ci.gc of leadership was made, resulting in the appointment of Mr. Holland as leader of the Opposition, the National Party caucus resolved to ask Messrs. Coates and Hamilton to continue to represent the party in the War Cabinet. There is now a possibility that their positions might he subject to review by the party, although there would be nothing tc prevent the Government from asking them to continue as members of the War Cabinet. No indication has been given of the views held by Messrs. Polson, Broadfoot arid Bodkin. Mr. Holland has made it plain that he is taking his stand on the question of whether the law should be observed and those who broke it. firmly dealt with. 'Die men sentenced last week are still at large, but on the other hand no indication has been given that the sentence of the Court will not be carried out. NOT NATIONALISATION BUT CONTROL MR. FRASER ON PROPOSAL Hawera, Sept. 25. That the farming community is seriously perturbed over the reported proposal to nationalise the coal mines at the dictation of the miners on strike has been represented to the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser, in a telegram sent, last night from Hawera by the South Taranaki Provincial Executive of the Farmers’ Union. "Such action,” the telegram continued, "would be interpreted as a surrender of the Government to organised labour. We would suggest an inquiry by an impartial committee and that the public is entitled to full information.” As secretary of the provincial executive, Mr. E. K. Cameron to-day received the following reply from Mr. Fraser: "Replying to your telegram, there is no proposal to nationalise the coal mines. The question is one of making coal mining in the Waikato district a controlled industry during the war period. I would refer you to a statement made by the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, Minister of the Armed Forces and War Co-ordination, which appeared in the Press.”