THE MINERS' DISPUTE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 129, 1 June 1901, Page 3

THE MINERS' DISPUTE.

CONCILIATION BOARD PROCEED-

INGS

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)

PAEROA, Friday. This day's proceedings of the Board are as follows:

Jacob Ziman, examined by Mr. Rhodes, slated: "I acted on behalf of London people as option-holder over the VVailii Consolidated mine. At i present the syndicate are spending j £125 per month, but are greatly disinclined to take any active steps to develop the property. From Tetters and cables received I learn the matter is in abeyance owing to this labour trouble. The syndicate is awaiting the result of this dispute before making any move to find £50,----000 For development. VVaihi particularly requires large sums of money for development. I know Reef ton pretty well, and would not lake my family to live there on account of the climatic conditions. The majority of miners at Reef ton do not live near their work. The nearest is about one mile away, and the furthest twenty miles, and many of these miners keep two homes. The average cost of gold production at the Progress mine, Reefton. is about 16/ per ton. The ore is less complex than here, requiring no cyanide, and easier to treat. They also use water power, and they have their own coal and timber on the ground. They are paying 1"> per cent, on a capital of £275.000 since crushing commenced. In Reefton coal costs the companies 2/; in Waihi 40/. And all the above are reasons why the companies can afford higher wages at Reefton. Reefton shares have gone up 10/ lately, arid Waihi shares have gone clown. \',y Mr. Drumm: I would live, and did live, in Johannesburg, but would not take my family to live at Reefton. The ruling rate for miners at Reefton is 10/, and 7/ to 3/ for sur- ,

face men

By Mr. Lucas: The ore in the Reef ton mines averages 32/ in value.

By Mr. Rhodes: Tf after we had started at Eeefton the wages had been increased 15 to 20 per cent, we would have had none or very little profit from the investment of our capital. Mr Bell, legal manager for several local companies, examined, stated: — "A very large proportion of the people in a city have to live on 8/ a day or less

--and do live respectably, lie cost of management, in no case of companies represented by me does the cost of management exceed £100. For instance, in the Bunker's ITill Company, which iia.s spent £ 13,000 during the lasl live years, the cost of office expends, legal manager, directors' fees, etc., for last year Yf as £19." Mr Rich was called at 5 p.m., and shortly after a discussion took place among the Board and the representatives present as to whether it was necessary to call further evidence of the harmlcssness of compressed air and as to the danger of mining.

Mr Alison said, personally, it seemed to him absolutely positive, from the evidence before the Board, that there was no bad effect from the use of a rock drill.

Mr Tunics asked that tlw Boafrd should say that they had heard enough evidence on the mutter of compressed air, and that they were satisfied it was not hurtful: and also, that they should express an opinion as regards healthiness and danger in mines.

Mr Lucas said he was satisfied mm* ing was not more unhealthy now than two years ago. ■

Mr Daw said he was prepared to have an apparatus sent for to collect compressed air and have it sent away and analysed, and pay the expense.

Mr Alison said ho thought it unnecessary. He thought the evidence absolutely overwhelming that there wore no ill effects from the use of compressed air. The Chairman said perhaps it would be better to adjourn till the morning, and the Board might then be able to give an expression of opinion on the points mentioned. This was agTeed to, and on meeting this morning the Chairman stated the Board required no further evidence on the question of compressed air, or cm the dangerous character of the miner's calling. Flo might say the Board were satisfied raining was not more dangerous than it was five or ten years ago. Mr Khodes asked: "With regard to compressed air, will the Board state what conclusion they have arrived at?" The Chairman: "I am empowered by the Board to say they have come to the conclusion that compressed air is not injurious. Mr Armstrong, County Engineer for Ohinemuri, stilted: "I have held the position of County Engineer for about five years. During that time I have paid 7/ per day to the ordinary surface labourers employed by the County."

By Mr Montgomery: "There is a clause in County contracts giving the County Engineer power to dismiss the wages men employed by a contractor. I expected 1 would have to give a roason. 1 would not dismiss a man without giving him a reason." By Mr Bell: "These men occasionally make broken time, but not often."

By Mr Tunks: "A large proportion of these surfacemen, are married men, with families."

By Mr Fawcus: "They work 4S hours per week." By Mr Bag-nail: "I have no difficulty in getting men at 7/." By Mr Drumm: I do not know what wages contractors pay their men. By Mr Morgan: If we employ a man for a few days only we pay him 8/. By Mr Lucas: Waihi and Waitekauri men receive the same wages.

Mr Rich, further examined, said: — "With regard to the hours of surface labourers, I expect them to work eight hours a day. I work overtime only when unavoidable. In such cases the work is of mutual advantage, and I do not think extra wages should be paid. Some repairs to a mill cannot be made without stopping it altogether. It is to the advantage of everyone connected with the mine that the mill be kept going as constantly as possible. I think mine managers should have the power of dismissing any miner, and sometimes it is better not to give the reason. It is possible, but not expedient, to always give a reason. The mines here ccraJd not afford to keep men simply for one class of work. An all round miner is always worth more than a man only good at one class of work. These all round miners are scarce. We pay bur miners 8/, and can get plenty of men at that figure. We pay our truckers 7/, and greasers 6/. We have a large number of applicants for work as

greasers at 6/, as they wish to learn something of gold milling. Their ages run from 20 to 30 years."

Mr Lucas: The schedule of the Union only refers to wages of boys in mines, not batteries.

Mr 'funks: I will be glad to know if that is so, as it will shorten matters considerably.

A long discussion followed as to whether boys working in batteries should be included in the award, and finally it was decided to include boys in batteries, as Mr Brown stated it was possible a large number might be employed shortly.

Examination continued:' "I am not prepared to pay my greasers 8/4. Regarding the minimum wage, I think it should bo the lowest rate that can be legitimately paid in any class in the industry. By legitimate I mean a living wage, and also a wage that a company can afford to pay. In fixing a minimum wage the lowest or poorest class of workmen must be taken into consideration and a wage paid at which such a man can live, A.ny man not worth that must seek some other employment. From my experience, if there is any rise lately in the coet of living it is exceedingly small. Before wages are increased I think the state of tlie industry should be considered, and an increase of wages will, I think, have a detrimental effect on the industry. The mining industry, I consider, is in a struggling condition. Capitalists have not done well in this colony. A minimum wage must apply to the minimum district or the least favourable district.

By Mr. Bell: A rise in wages would attract labour from other branches of industry. As a general rule miners are paid a higher rate than labourers in other industries.

By Mr. Drumm: I think a miner entitled to higher wages than workmen in some other industries. I am not aware that bricklayers and plasterers receive 12/ per day.

By Mr. Morgan: Our truckers range from 18 years to 30 years of age. More gelignite fumes are found where rock drills are used, but more air is used, and the fumes are rapidly got rid of. Generally speaking-, contracting- tends to bring the price of labour down to its lowest profitable point. For the ordinary miner in stopes and drives we do not pay higher than 8/.

William McWatters, storekeeper, Paeroa, examined by Mr. Rhodes, stated: T have stores at the five principal centres —Paeroa, Karangahake, Waihi, Waitekauri and Te Aroha. I have bepn storekeeping eight years, and have a considerable trade with the miners. On the whole I think the cost of living- is no greater than it has been during the past five years. The miners appear to live very comfortably, and there are on the wholeno evidences of poverty or want.

By Mr. Daw: There has been a remission in customs tariffs in some lines.

By Mr. Drumm: T onljr speak of general groceries. I have no experience of rents or drapery. I consider the payment of debts a matter of principle rather than of- wages. A mau should live within his means. My losses from bad debts were considerable. At present I am doing practically a cash business.

Mr. Brown, recalled, stated: I have paid 7/6 at the Thames to men working with a rock drill. I have employed truckers as low as 5/. I think surface hands should work every hour they are paid. .for. Forty-eight hours per week is the customary hours for surface men, and I see no reason why this rule should be departed from.

By Mr. Drumm: The above rates were paid in the Anchor mine, Thames. The truckers receiving 5/ were youths from 18 to 21. 1 would fix about 3/ as a minimum for truckers if boys are employed.

By Mr. Alison: The only hard work about rock drills is the setting up of the machiue. The leading man on a big" machine should certainly get more than an ordinary miner. Tn. the Komata tunnel I paid such men 10/, and working1 the same machines at other work I paid those men IJ/. I do not consider it fair to be compelled to pay 10/. I make a distinction between the "mucker" and the rock-drill man, and I pay 8/ to the mucker, and 9/ to the man in charge. Mr. Alison: It seems to me that not enough evidence has been adduced by the mine managers regarding several of the classes into which the Union have divided their claim. . Mr Rhodes: The statement handed in by me covered all these points. Mr Alison: The Union handed in a statement, and the mine managers also handed in one, and the Board is asked to discriminate between the two statements without much evidence to shqw which is the fairer scale. Examination continued. By Mr Tunks: I make no difference between miners in rises, stopes, drives and winzes. They are all paid alike. I would make a distinction with shaft men. The work of chamber men and brace ni^n is not such as to demand any higher wages than ordinary miners. If the minimum rate of pay for a miner were 7/6 I would not pay a mullocker so much. I consider 11/ too high for a blacksmith. I pay 10/ for a first-class blacksmith in an outlying district. Before this dispute we had no difficulty in fixing our wages. We worked out our own salvation without any interference. We pay a carpenter for a short period who brings a kit of good tools ten shillings per day. Timber meit, as defined by the Union, should only get the same wages as a competent miner, as it is part of his work, and a competent miner should know how to do it. I pay from 8/ to 10/ for engine drivers. The 11/ asked by the Union is altogether out of reason, to my mind. What the wages should be depends on the size of the engine and the nature of the work. I think 8/ would be a fail- minimum. I should say 7/ a fair rate for firemen. We pay a tool sharpener at present 8/6. Our rates are based on the fact that we are in an outlying district. I employ surface labourers and pay them 8/. I give a fitter 9/G, to very good men. We have a battery, wet crushing, and the battery manager does all the supervision. Cyanide men have special knowledge, but the work is light, and we pay one of our men 8/ and the other 7/. I could fill my battery with hands and pay them nothing, as there axe always plenty wanting the work. The man I pay 8/ to has been handling solutions for over three years. The stamper hand, or amalgamator. " gets 9/. I paid my watchman 8/. My battery men do the battery repairing and get no higher wages. I employ one crusher man at 8/. I pay my locomotive man 10/. I employ head and tail sawyers. The head man gets 9/, It would never pay us to give him 12/. We give the tail man 8/.

Mr Potts asked: Is Mr Brown aware

that no "winded" at the Thames ever received less than 9/?

Mr Brown: I do not doubt it.

By Mr Drunini: I sunk a winze 150 feet and had no ventilation except the natural air, and that was very good. This happened at^Komata Reefs. There is no more danger for a skilled miner in a winze than in a rise or stope.

]]y Mr Luoa.-s: Our surface men work 47 hours, but I believe the usual time for such men is 48 hours per week.

Herbert Woolmer, Marototo, superintendent of the Waitekauri Extended Company, examined by Mr Tunkg, stated: "I am acquainted with Union scale but do not approve of it. I pay a shift bass JO/, but lie works with the men. T pay miners. 8/, and make no distinction between drives, winzes, stopes, etc. 1 pay my blacksmith 10/, carpenters 9/, 10/ and 11/. The miners do their own timbering1. Truckers get 7/ !<> 8/, surface labourers S/. Stamper men get 9/ and 8/, cyanide men 7/. My sawyer gels 9/, and a striker 7/.."'

Mr Powell, manager of the Tararu Creek mine, put in a certified paysheet of the Tararu Creek Company, showing the present rates of pay, and the proposed rates, which, would make a difference of 16 per cent, to his company. Mr Powell said: "In this sheet a blacksmith is shown as receiving 11/, but he is a specially qualified fitter, etc. There is also a special timber man whom 1 pay 0/6. For battery hands (wet mill) the foreman gets 10/ and the table men 8/6. On the present scale of wages my company has now spent £80,000 to obtain £40,000 worth of gold. This money was raised locally."

Mr Montgomery, re-examined, referred to the Union scale, and dealt with clause 1. He said: "The hours of surface men at the Kauri Freehold Company's mine, have been 47 hours, and the pay 7/6. Until quite lately the repairing gang on our railway, who are paid wet or dry, received £ 2 2/ per week. Now they get 7/G, but have to do other heavier work about the mines. The shift bosses receive 10/ per day. There are no filling-in bosses. Enginedrivers are paid according to the engine they drive, 'winders' 0/, at the large engine 10/, locomotive driver 10/. We have no difficulty in getting winding engine-drivers at 9/. Miners are employed to do any work they are put to, and with regard to miners in rises and winzes, it is only occasionally higher rates of pay should be paid. It is quite the exception to pay a higher rate. The same applies to a winze, except where it is very wet or there are gases in it. With regard to ohambermen and braccmen, tliey are entitled to the same wages as miners, but no higher. The underground work of the mullocker is usually done by the miners. In some mines the timberman Is the man who makes timber for the mine, but in Waihi mine I believe there is a special class of men always engaged at the work of putting in timber in a mine, and known as timbermen. We employ two tool sharpener?!, and I would ask that the rate be not higher than for miners. Truckers get 7/ per day, and are certainly, in two cases, not worth more. The result of fixing a higher rate would be that I must discharge these men and get more efficient men. The same applies to fitters. We have a small shop with a fitter and two lads. One lad gets 4/ and the other 5/, and the man gets £4 10/ per week, under" special arrangement requiring him to work all hours. The division of the battery hands, as made by the Union, would not suit our battery at all. We have only two classes, cyaniders and labourers. We have no battery repairers. This is done by the hands. I have press hands,. but no shift boss, nor an assistant. The press hands are merely intelligent labourers. I have one watchman, to whom I pay 6/. He is a lame man, unfit for other work, but quite fit for a watchman. Any strong labourer can do the work of the man at the crusher right away, and -we pay 8/. With regard to firemen, for an engine over 50 horse - power we have one driver, who looks after a 150 horsepower engine, \ also dynamo and air compressor, and does it easily. I would therefore ask to have that clause in the demands struck out. I can only say that, for a. minimum rate I agree with the schedukput in by Mr Rhodes. This, I think, would not be the ruling rate, but should be the minimum rate. The fortnightly pay would be most inconvenient at my mine, as wages are paid entirely out of bullion."

This being all the evidence the miningl representatives wished to call at Paeroa the Board adjoiirned to meet in Waihi to-morrow morning. .