BRITISH COAL MINERS.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 116, 17 May 1924, Page 7

BRITISH COAL MINERS.

I THE PROPOSED AGREEMENT.; DIVISION OF PROFITS. THE INCREASED PROPORTIONS (Br Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.) (Received 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, May 16. Hie main provisions of the proposed coal agreement allow for standard profits to consist of la per cent standard wages, instead of 17 per cent as at present. The minimum rate of wages is increased to a 33 1-3 per cent on the 1914 basis. The division of the surplus . profits is 88 per cent to wages and 12: per cent to the employers respectively, j where it was formerly 83 per cent and. 17 per cent respectively. I No able-bodied adult's wages shall fall j below 40 per cent of the lowest paid: class of day wages.— (A. and N.Z.) i l THE WAGES ISSUE. AGREEMENT ARRIVED AT. '■ NEW BURDEN TO INDUSTRY. (By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.) LONDON, May 16. The conference between representa- | tiyes of the coalmine owners and the j miners, in accordance with the recommendation of the recent Court of In- ■ quiry, resulted in an agreement on the j subject of wages. The terms are to be submitted to the men's delegates at a I conference called for May 29. The secretary of the Miners' Union, j Mr. Cook, states that his executive is not satisfied that the proposals will meet the full requirements of the men, although it will recommend a settlement. He still believes the' only final settlement of the dispute will be by the voluntary unification of the industry, the pooling of the proceeds or a nationalisation scheme. • The new agreement w-ill mean several million pounds a year extra in wages to the miners, said Mr. Cook, but we shall have difficulty in persuading the men to agree to it, as they are convinced that they are entiled to a living wage equal to that of 1914. Mr. Finlay Gibson, representing the South—Wales coalmine owners, stated ' that the minimum wage agreed upon will;. add from 1/3 to 1/8 per ton to the cost i; of production, though the profit during j the period of the last agreement in South . Wales averaged only 1/1 per ton. This j j was a serious position, as South Wales ' was entirely dependent on the export trade, and came into competition with , American and European coal. | It was probable, added Mr. Gibson, |' that many of the collieries would be un- j able to carPf on. Notices of dismissal had already been given to 3000 men, and j; probably another 3000 would be dismissed at the end of next week.—(A. and N.Z.—Reuter.) - \