NO SETTLEMENT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 309, 31 December 1930, Page 7

NO SETTLEMENT.

COAL MINES DISPUTE

Findings of Industrial Board

Awaited.

DEADLOCK AT CONFERENCES.

(British Official Wireless.)

(Received 12.30 p.m.)

RUGBY, December 30,

The Industrial Board for the Coalmining Industry heard the appeal of the North Wales Miners' Federation yesterday and its findings will be known to-day to the parties to the dispute, who will meet in Cardiff. The colliery owners have offered to continue the present temporary working agreement, Avhich expires to-morrow, for another in6nth, provided that if an agreement on future terms is not reached by January 14 the differences will be referred to independent arbitration.

The miners have declined the proviso about arbitration, holding that the proper arbitral body ehould be the National Industrial Board, which the owners refuse to recognise. They were not represented at yesterday's meeting of the board.

The main point at issue is one of wages. Under the form of spreadover suggested by the owners an 11-day fortnight would be worked. The men complain that this means the loss *of one day's work and one day's pay per fortnight as compared with the old 12-day fortnight.

It is understood that the board recommended an agreement for three months for a spreadover of 45 hours per week and 90 hours per fortnight of 12 working days.

Mr. A. J. Cook said last night he was sure there would be no stoppage of work if the recommendations, were accepted by the employers. ■

Owners and miners in two coalfields failed to agree to-day in North Staffordshire. The manner of working the spreadover was discussed and both sides are referring the matter to the National Coal Board, but in the meantime work will continue on day to day contracts.

This afternoon the South Wales Miner*' Conference objected to the proposal of the owners, which presumably differed from the recommendations of the National Coal Board as published to-day. The latter suggested a three months' agreement on the basis of the present wages and five days of seven hours 36 minutes with five hours 40 minutes on Saturday.

The South Wales owners refuse to recognise the National Board. Efforts are continuing to reach a fresh agreement before the expiry at the end of the month of the temporary agreement.

The coal miners' proposal is for a weekly spreadover of 45 hours—five days of 71 hours and on Saturday 6 J; hours. The owners insist on a fortnightly spreadover of 87 hours —ten days of eight hours, on one Saturday seven hours and on the other Saturday a. holiday.

The miners' Representatives argue that the loss of - a pay day would mean a reduction., in wages averaging 5/ per week, to which the employers reply that there is not money enough to pay the wages which prevailed under the eight hours' agreement.

Only 30 per cent of South Wales miners are. members of the federation, so it is not certain that the stoppage will be extensive or prolonged.