WAIHI MINERS' CONFERENCE.

Auckland Star, Volume XLII, Issue 134, 7 June 1911, Page 5

WAIHI MINERS' CONFERENCE.

DEMAND FOB INCREASED WAGES. SMALL CONCESSION GRANTED. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) /WAIHi, Tuesday. The conference between the mine-own-ers and the Miners' Union, representatives was concluded this afternoon. I understand tha-t the morning was principally occupied by stating the case for the Miners' Union in support of their demandSj and tha-t the main reasons submitted for increased wages consisted in the following points: That the conditions at the time the last award was fixed (June Ist, 1907) were totally different to those now prevailing, and that the cost of living- had gone up, which necessitated a rise in wages on equal ratio. From the companies' standpoint, however, the question resolved itself into whether the industry can stand an increase in the cost of production, winch must naturally follow if an increase of wages is granted. Roughly speaking, the increase demanded by the Union averaged something like 1/6 a shift, at any rate on principal items. Practically all work in the Waihi Company's mine is done under the contract system, and contractors pay all wages men 11/ per shift underground and 10/ per shift for surface labour. The Waihi Company pay surface hands a minimum rate of 7/6, in some cases more. I understand that the Company object to the proposed "all in the job" (or cooperative system) as passed by the Miners' Union, though, if all men in the mine were unanimous on the subject, the union could practically work it as they wished. I understand wiat the main portion of the contractors themselves are opposed to any alteration. ' THE UNION DEMANDS. The union asked that all work done on Sundays be paid double time, and that overtime be paid at the rate of time and a-quarter for the first two hours and time and a-half afterwards; for conditional preference to unionists; that the hours of labour for, labourers and mechanics not working recognised shifts shall be 45 hours per -week; that if any worker from any cause -whatever loses time during the week, and works overtime, during the said week, the time lost shall not debar the said worker from receiving the overtime rates, as provided for by this agreement. If any disputes arise during the term of this agreement between the representatives of the companies and a member or members of the Waihi. Workers' Union, the union asked that such grievances shall be settled between the management and the union's representatives. Any matter not provided for by this agreement shall be settled by -written agreement between the employers concerned and the committee of the union. It is further asked "That the company shall -supply the nnion with a list of all wages men, contractors, and contractors' wages men at least once every quarter. No men shall be employed below the minimum rate except by permit from the union. Miners' Day, Christmas Day. and Good , Friday shall be observed as general holidays, and all men required to work on those days β-hall be paid double time. All wajes to be paid at intervals of not more.. than two weeks, and in no case shall -more than four days be kept in hand. Any worker sent to do any work at a distance from his usual, place of work shall travel both ways in employer's time.

"Six hours to constitute a. day's work in hot, wet, or gassy places. "The workmen's inspector shall have the same powers as provided! in the Mining Act." The following is the official reply made to the Miners' Union by the representatives of the Waihi, Waihi Grand Junction, Waihi Extended and Waihi Reefs Consolidated companies - :—"In reference to the demands of your union, received on the 22nd May, we see no objection to clause No. 8, referring to hours of labour of men (not working shifts) being 45 hours of actual"work a week/clause No. 19. referring to workmen's inspector, and No. 20, referring to a book to be kept by the union. We agree to xaise the minimum wage for men from 7/6 to 8/, but, the Test of your demands are such as we ' cannot agree to, and we have to refuse them." I It is generally understood that, as far as the mine proprietors are concerned, the last word has been spoken, and it remains to be seen what the union will do. Should the latter see fit to call the men out or interfere with the working of the mines, it is understood that the companies will respond by closing the mines down. A mass meeting of the union has been convened for Wednesday evening to receive the- companies' reply. Tradespeople are awaiting developments with apparent anxiousness, and suppressed excitement seems to permeate the atmosphere. Mr. Semple (organiser of the Federation of Labour) has arrived and will attend a mass meeting of miners.