THE MINERS’ STRIKE

Waikato Times, Volume 112, Issue 18682, 7 July 1932, Page 7

THE MINERS’ STRIKE

THE RENOWN MINE. TO BE OPENED TO-MORROW USE OF VOLUNTEER LABOUR. (By Telsgrsph.—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, Thursday. As arrangements have been made for the production of coal by volunteer labour at the Renown mine In the Interests of the four companies concerned, the mine will be opened to-morrow. CONFERENCE IN WELLINGTON* CALLED BY MINISTER. AUCKLAND, Thursday. ■j. Representatives of the northern *** miners have been invited by the Minister of Labour, Hon. A. Hamilton, to meet him and representatives of the mine owners at Wellington to-morrow to discuss the situation. A similar invitation has been received by the northern mine owners, the Minister’s intention apparently being to bring the parties together in an effort to arrive at an agreement under which the men will return to work. A meeting of the mine owmers was held in Auckland yesterday morning, but no Information was available as to anv decisions that may have been arrived at. A further meeting was arranged to be held this morning, and it is anticipated that the Minister’s appeal will be considered and delegates selected to go to Wellington this evening. The telegram was received In Huntly last evening, and a deolsion was made to have the unions representod'-at the Minister’s conference. Mr W. Davison, secretary of the Northern Miners’ Union, and Mr C. A. Latham, secretary of Hikurangl Miners’ Union, have been selected to represent the men, and will leave for Wellington this evening. Mr T. Boughe,r, president of the Northern Miners' Union, left last evening for Christchurch to attend a meeting of the Miners’ National Council, and it is possible he also will meet the Minister and the owmers in Wellington. PRIME MINISTER TO ATTEND. THE OWNERS SURPRISED. RE-OPENING OP RENOWN MINE. (By Telegraph.—Special to Times.) V AUCKLAND, Thursday. /■A'-- According to advices received in Auckland the conference with the Minister in Wellington to-morrow will be hold at it a.m. It is understood the Prime Minister will also be in attendance. The intervention of the Government came as a surprise, specially to the owners, who had already made all arrangements necessary In accordance with their decision “to lake other steps" to renew the production of coal at the mines, and notwithstanding that their representatives will attend the conference and use all moans to effect a final settlement, the previous decision to man the Renown mine with volunteer labour to-morrow will be adhered to. It was authoritatively learned this morning that the owners decided yesterday afternoon that the Renown mine would be re-opened to-morrow morning in the Interests of the four companies concerned-T-namely, Taupiri, Glen Afton, Pukemiro and Renown. This decision stands, and as a result of the arrangements made the Renown mine to-morrow morning will, it is officially predicted, be producing coal. The point is made that the arrangements for re-opening the mine were concluded before the notice was received of the Government’s intervention, and that they have gone past the cancellation stage, and therefore must be given effect to. Volunteers are providing the labour. Some havo been recruited from Auckland, and the remainder, It la Indloated, will comprise farmers In the districts surrounding Huntly, who have had experience In mining. As far as is known no strikers have offered their services. < DELEGATES TO CONFERENCE. OWNERS AND MEN. (By Telegraph.—Special lo Times.) AUCKLAND, Thursday. The following delegates are proceeding to the conference called by the Minister of Mines at Wellington:— Owners. —Messrs llolgate (president of the New Zealand Coalmine Owners’ Association), E. W. Alison, F. M, Wlnstone (Taupiri), 11. R. Mackenzie, F. Brooke-Taylor (Renown), .1,. ,l. Stevens (llikurangi), A. lloweyWalker (Pukemiro), Dynes Fullon, C. M. Rlchwite (Glen Afton). Miners. —Messrs W. Davison, C. A. Latham and T. Bougher. POSITION AT HUNTLY. NO FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS. (Special lo Times.) HUNTLY, Thursday. There were no developments at Huntly to-day. The mines in the district are still idle, no miners having reported fo' work. a The miners are awaiting the outcome 'sgf the conference called by Hie Government. and 111 ere is no! much likelihood of any news until after the conference. Two lorry loads of ramping equipment have been transported lo no.v dm Renown Mine, and accommodation for about iOO men is being erected. It is not definitely known who will

occupy the tents, though it is rumoured that farmers and others requiring coal will work the mine. The township is very quiet and there Is no sign of any trouble. THE NORTHERN OWNERS. DELEGATES TO CONFERENCE. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, Thursday, The northern coal mine owners this morning decided to send nine delegates to the Minister of Labour’s Conference. GOVERNOR-GENERAL’S REGRET. APPEAL TO BOTH PARTIES. AUCKLAND, Thursday. The Governor-General, Lord Bledisloe, in a speech at Helensville yesterday, said: “1 deplore exceedingly the coalmines dispute. Industrial warfare Is always regrettable, but under the present critical economic conditions |in this country it is unthinkable. Un- | less checked, it is calculated lo cause • untold suffering !u Ihe whole community ami lo increase materially the risk of national bankruptcy. I earnestly exhort both parties to this illtimed dispute to get round a tabic as soon as they possibly can In a friendly spirit, with a readiness lo give credit to each other for fairness of Intentions and honesty of motives, ami resolutely seek at least a temporary agreement until the nation's acute distresses are over. "I am a profound believer in a 'round table conference.’ I have u round table at Government House where we gather daily for our meals and at which no unkind word tias ever been spoken since 1 have known it. I freely offer it, in the public interest, for such a conference as I suggest. ] would gladly also offer my services as arhilralnr in the dispute, but for the fact llial it would rrenlc a precedent which Ills Majesty's representative might find it difficult, indeed impossible, lo follow hereafter. "I can bnl appeal lo both parries ns 1 do most enrneslly, lo pm j.ie public welfare before all other eoiisidernllons and seek a resmnp.b.n oi | friendly relations and of industrial no ! livih by c\ery means in their power, and without delay."