Miners’ Strike
p. 59 · Read in the full issue
Ugly Situation in New Guinea
A STRIKE, involving about 100 European miners and artisans, which for a time had a very ugly appearance, occurred on the Morobe goldfield, New Guinea, between September 7 and 11. It was eventually settled.
The trouble commenced at New Guinea Goldfields Ltd.’s Golden Ridges mill and cyanide plant, near Wau. Fifteen miners were informed that their wages were to be reduced 1/ per day. They promptly ceased work; and they said they would not resume until they receiver higher, instead of lower wages. They were then discharged by the mine manager. Winchmen and scraper men ceased work in sympathy.
On Monday, September 9, the miners em ployed by New Guinea Goldfields Ltd. at Edie Creek came out on strike, in sympathy with the Golden Ridges men, and all were immediately paid off. All the unemployed men were thus without quarters; and pro ceeded to Wau, where lack of accommoda tion led to a good deal of discomfort.
Meetings were held during Monday and Tuesday and, eventually, an agreement was reached whereby all the men from both mines returned to work on Wednesday, on the same terms as were in operation prior to the dispute.