WORK & WAGES.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17452, 12 May 1922, Page 7

WORK & WAGES.

NEW SOUTH WALES MINING INDUSTRY. TROUBLE THREATENED. (By Cable —PrMs Auociatioa—CopyrifM.) I (Au»trali»n *nd N.2.. C&ble Association.) , SYDNEY, May 11. ! The ''Daily Telegraph" predicts that, owing to the depressed nnd unsettled condition of the coal industry, grave danger exists of an early industrial crisis. The paper declares that tho unemployment problem hinges on tho price of coai, which remains high because of the wages paid to the miners. Only a conference and a compromise between the Coalminers' Federation and tho colliery proprietors can avert an industrial catastrophe. Meantime thousands of miners are idle in Newcastle, Lithgow, and other mining districts, and this is seriously affecting other avenues ot employment and crippling business enterprise. A representative of the miniug industry has decided to form a deputation to wait on Mr J. C. L. Fitzpatrick (Minister of Mines) for the purpose of removing the pinpricks, which, he said, had become sabre thrusts. It was suggested that the Minister, when dealing with important mining problems, should confer'with men who understood tho economic position, as well as technical experts. Tho grievances were comprised of excessive stamp taxation and railway freights. A ton of wool was railed for 225, while a ton or ore was charged £3 10s. [The New South 'Wales coal-owners announced on April 27th that they were reducing uy 33 i-o per cent,., and ratondeu to revert to a working day of two sbilts of eight hours, liio terms ottered to tho nuners also include the restoration of front and back suifts, toe abolition of the cavilling system or a 12 months' cavil, that machines bo used in pillar work when required, that if the management desires the employees shall work sis days each week, that tho hours of surface workers shail be calculated, exclusive of meal times, and those of underground and contract men from the time the last man descends until the first ascends in each shift, that the distribution of coal free or below the selling price to householders be discontinued, only six recognised holidays a year to be observed, and the hours on back Saturdays to be raised from six to eight. A special meeting of the Council of the Coalminers' Federation rejected the employers' proposals and decided to stand behind its own claims. Mr Willis, the secretary, issued a manifesto urging the workers not to be I stampeded into a general stoppage. The All-Australian Trade Union Congress, to be held in Melbourne in June, he said, would probably formulate a definite policy for safeguarding tho interests of the workers.?! FORTY-FOUR HOUR WEEK. EFFECT IN NEW SOUTH WAIJESS. | ' SYDNEY, May 11. The Shiro councillors' conference discussed the effect of the forty-four-hour week, the unanimous opinion being that, it had a disastrous effect upon Shire finances, in some instances resulting in the dismissal of men owing to compulsory retrenchment. The loss to Shires was estimated at £50,000, irrespective of greater losses by the municipalities. CHICAGO LABOUR DISPUTE. | TWO POLICEMEN SHOT. ! I NEW YORK, May 10. At Chicago two policemen were shot dead and three buildings dynamited by Labour extremists opposing the arbitrators' award in the building trades dispute. The policemen were killed in endeavouring to prevent the bombing of a glass plant, the terrorists firing a volley. TRADE DISPUTES IN BRITAIN. (Received May 11th, 7.5 p.m.) - LONDON, May 10. In the House of Commons, Dr. T. J. Macnamara, Minister of Labour, replying to questions, said to make joint Industrial Council agreements compulsory throughout an industry required a greater measure of agreement between the employers and the workers than had hitherto been attained. During March and April the loss of time through trade disputes amounted to 9,000,000 working days. The Government hoped to introduce a Bill this session embodying the Trade Board recommendations of Lord Cave's Committee. REDUCTIONS IN WAGES. MOVEMENT IN NEW SOUTH (Received May 11th, 11.30 p.m.) SYDNEY, May 11. A niase meeting of all building trades employees will be held on May 24th to consider the question of the basic wage, and to determine what actio® shall be taken in regard to reductions in wages and alterations in hours. The Shires Conference carried a motion favouring approaching the Govern- | ment with a view to bringing about a reduction in the wages and salaries or ■Shire employees.