STRIKE IN THE STATE COAL MINE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2678, 7 December 1909, Page 5

STRIKE IN THE STATE COAL MINE.

MINISTER OF MINES TO BE IN-

TERVIEWED

rPiiit Pkkss Association.! WELLINGTON, Dec. 6. The Miners’ Federation delegates, comprising Messrs R. Semple, president (State collieries), R. Manning (secretary, Auckland), DoAvgey (Gramty), Fulton (Waikato), Scanlon and Parry (Waihi) and Armstrong (State mine extension) discussed matters to-day m connection with the strike at the State coal mine. It Avas decided to interview the -Minister of Mines. It is understood that the Minister was unable, owing to pressing business, to meet the deputation to-day. WESTPORT MINERS WORK LOYALLY. WESTPORT, Dec. 5. The coal-miners in Westport district are cheerfully and successfully seconding the efforts of the companies to meet the pressure of the demands for coal. At Ngakaivau the men make no objection to ivorking on pay Saturday. Seddonville and Granity miners are briskly employed. At Denniston, on Friday another daily record Avas established, the output for the day for one shift being 1573 tons. The waterside men at Westport are working oA’crtime. and it is only in one or two isolated cases any objection has been made. Although a large quantity of coal is being handled the railway is moving the mineral smartly, and there has not been the slightest congestion in shipping. The co-operation of all concerned is a gratifying feature of the rush. The pace of production, haulage, and shipment Avill go a long way to prove that Neiv Zealand can supply all her own coal demands. The output from the Westport Coal Company’s mines during November Avas 51,761 tons 11 cwt.; Seddonville State mine, 6141 tone lewt.; Stockton Company , 13,863 tons oewt.; total, 71,766 tons 17catc. During the month 104 steamers worked the port. Before the executive of the Miners’ Federation meets next Aveek (says the Wellington “Post”) the Premier should make it absolutely plain that no further concessions will be made, and that if the men have no desire to return to Avork. others will be asked to fill their place's. And if the others will not come when the Government calls on them? In that eA’ent, it is equally clear that the Government must seriously consider the question of abandoning an undertaking which the State lias failed to make a paying one, and to hand it over to private enterprise. By a- deplorable perversitv the same extremists Avho are always clamoring for the enlargement- of the sphere of State action are doing their best to discredit it.