SEVEN-HOUR DAY

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20464, 2 April 1938, Page 8

SEVEN-HOUR DAY

MINERS ALLEGE PROMISE MINISTER UNDER FIRE HON. P. C. WEBB’S DENIAL (Times Speeclal Reporter) PUKEMIRO, Friday Allegations that the Minister of Mines, the Hon. P. C. Webb, had not honoured a promise of a seven-hour day to workers in the industry were made at a meeting of miners at Pukemiro this afternoon, when both the Minister and Hon. W. Lee Martin were present. A speaker in bringing the matter forward stated that the Minister had said a great deal about the miners honouring the'ir promises but Mr Webb had not carried out a promise made during a previous visit to the district. The Minister immediately denied that any promises had been mad'e, but stated that he had agreed to place the matter of a seven-hour day before Cabinet, who had gone into the question thoroughly. In view of the fact that there were still many workers unemployed it was found impracticable to accede to the miner's request, but the’ Minister assured the meeting that nothing would give him greater pleasure than to bring in a six-hour day. The men must realise that the mining industry was faced with the problem of the increasing popularity of electricity. He would not say that it was a bad thing for electricity to be replacing coal because if men could be found suitable employment elsewhere he was the last to want them to work underground. In the meantime, added the Minister, he did not want to do anything which might reflect adversely on the industry.