MINERS' WAGES.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 303, 21 December 1903, Page 3

MINERS' WAGES.

In the recommeudations made by the Couciiiatiou Board iv regard to miners' wages;— in clause 11 freedom of contract is permitted by striking out the provision that in the case of every contract tenders must be called. lv Waihi the principal amendments are that ciause 1 of the schedule of the award is altered to" read "That the week's work for all men employed iv and about the mine, other than suifauemen nut working shilis, shall consist of 46' hours for men working day shift, and -£7 hours for mcv lurking night shirt." Clause 2, relating Lo surface labourers, is altered to read "The hours of work tor surfacemen not working shifts, including tradesmen, shall be 4o per week, exclusive of cut-lhue." This includes men working either in the mine or at the batteries outside a ruditis of two miles from lh>± Chief Post Offices at Thames and C'oromandel. Rock-drillers' wa.nes arc increased from 8/6 to 9/ per flay; tool-sharpeners from 3/ to S/O; repairers' labourers in wet b-it-teries, 7/a to 8/; and a new class, limbermen's mates, is provided at 8/0 per day. Before the rendinst of tlv award was concluded. Mr A. Rnssrr mentioned the case of the enginei'rivers.who have former] abranch union at Waihi distinct from the Miners' Union. The nnion desired v rise in winders' wug»s from !>/G to 10/; and as he was unaware thai tire case was on. he asked tint provision shnnld be made that the union sh.ouM be allowed to object te the award ---n (hit they mlrnt be heard the Court It was pointed 0"t that this was impcs-iiM". and Mr ohipctine t" winders heintr wlHiilrnwn from the award, the matter was allowed to drop.