MINERS' WAGES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 57, 8 March 1934, Page 11

MINERS' WAGES.

DISPUTE AT WAIHI. HIGH VALUE OF GOLD. MEN ASK TO BENEFIT. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) WAIIII, this day. At the sitting of the Conciliation Court, wliieh is hearing an application for a new industrial award by the Ohincmuri Mines and Batteries Union, the commissioner, Mr. P. Ilally, said he bad gone through the clauses of the application, and, apart from the question of wages, there was very little in dispute, and in connection with the major portion oT the clauses there was practically no difference, lie would like to have some assurance as to whether both parties had full authority to come to an agreement without .further reference by the parties.

Mr. J. Roberts, presenting the case for the union, said that so long as a satisfactory arrangement could be made there would be nothing further to do.

The commissioner said that in looking for an award they could only make a recommendation as experts to the Arbitration Court. There were only three parties concerned—the Waihi Company, the Golden Dawn Company and the union workers. If they reached an agreement it should affcct any other company.

Only Company Involved. Mr. Milligan, for the Wnihi Company, said that in the immediate future there was no possibility of any other mining concern being affected, but later circumstances might involve others. Mr. Roberts, in opening for the applicant union, said he presumed that if they came to an agreement 011 the question of wages and overtime everything would be satisfactory. Briefly, they asked for restoration of the 10 per cent cut, and 5 per cent additional. He was of opinion that if the Waihi Company liad not made the cut legislation imposing taxation on the export of gold would never have been introduced. Tho company had been taxed immediately following the cut, which had been a much heavier financial burden to them than the payment of wages prior to the cut. The view they took was that, since 1031, tho value of the money tho workers got had Rone down and down, while the value of the commodity they had produced had increased as far as paper money was concerned. The latest reports of the highest price of gold as published in the English Press worked out at £8 13/ per fine ounce. This aspect of the question, however, would be better known to the owners. Waihi Company Prosperous. Taking into account the prescnt-rlay gold currency, tho miners were being paid a lower rate of wages than ever before.

Another factor, said Mr. Roberts, why the application should receive favour was that the Waihi Company could afford to pay the restoration of the 10 per cent cut and ail addition of 5 per cent. The company was prosperous. He could see 110 reason why the company could not give tho increase asked for. If the company did not pay it to the men they paid it in taxes. He said the miners should share in the prosperity of the company. Mr. Roberts referred also to the burdens imposed by legislature and borne bv the miners. These included tho sales tax, the increased exchange rate, and the heavy unemployment tax. The miners, he added, had received nothing in return. At the conclusion of argument Mr. Hally said it appeared to him that the council was unable to make much progress towards solution of the trouble and added that he throught the Waihi Company could very well give fair consideration to the union's claim for restoration of the cut. At his suggestion the assessors for the union retired to discuss the position. Upon resuming Mr. Roberts said it had been decided to accept the wages and conditions of employment existing in 1931, prior to the reduction of 10 per cent and the same conditions regarding overtime. This, he said, was final. Deadlock Reached. When tho Court resumed to-day it was stated that 110 settlement had been reached. The discussion broke down on the question of wages and overtime. An adjournment has been made to April 10, when the dispute will be taken further. The offer made 011 behalf of the union was not accepted by the mine owners, and counter-proposais by the owners in the direction of making a special payment of 5 per cent on the earnings of the men, payable in October and April, were not accepted by the union assessors. Mr. Roberts said the company's offer introduced the bonus system and meant a speeding up and the dismissal of men. (They would not entertain it. lie had no authority to present the case to the Arbitration Court.