MINERS AND EXEMPTION

Waikato Times, Volume 88, Issue 13475, 4 May 1917, Page 7

MINERS AND EXEMPTION

APPEALS DISMI3SED. A BROKEN COMPACT. Appeals for the exemption of a number of coalminers were reviewed by the Military Service Board at Greymouth on Wednesday. The chairman, Mr J. S. Evans, S.M., said the position was that some time ago, when the "go slow" policy was in vogue in some of the mines, the board issued definite warnings that' unless the output from the mines was kept up to normal exemptions would not be granted. The board had adjourned final consideration of the cases twice, in the hope that better counsels would prevail, instead of which the miners, with the exception of those at Brunnerton, had gone on strike. This strike had been settled between the Minister for Defence and the Minister for Mines and the miners' delegates. Under the settlement the miners had agreed to resume work, and abandon the "go slow" policy, the conditions determined by the board for granting exemptions. He had been satisfied that the board was free to grant exemptions as previously, but on April 26 the State miners again ceased work over a paltry question which could, and no doubt would, be settled without any trouble. The whole question involved only a matter of 9d per week as a maximum, and 5d as a minimum. In a time of national crisis, when the Empire was engaged in a life-and-death struggle, when thousands of the flower of British manhood were giving their lives for their country, these men had again gone on strike, disorganising the country and paralysing the industries over this paltry question. The Paparoa miners had also ceased work over the which could, and no doubt would, have come before the conference to be held between the miners' delegates and the owners.

"The board says, without qualification," he continued, "that in a crisis of the kind through which the country is passing no conditions whatever existing in New Zealand justify a strike. If any class of workers choose that method of trying to force a settlement of paltry grievances, those whose appeals are under consideration, and who disregard an agreement made, will have to reckon with the Military Service Boards. If those subject to the Military Service Act are not prepared to do their duty in essential industries, they canot get exemption from the boards.

"The appeals of all miners from the State and Paparoa mines who, since the resumption of work, pursuant to the agreement with the Ministers of the Crown, again went on strike, will be dismissed. The appeals of those who resumed work and continued working will be adjourned as before. All exemptions granted, and to be granted, are expressly under the condition that the reservists concerned must give their best labour in the industry they are granted exemption for, or these exemptions will be cancelled without further notice."