MINERS'EIGHT HOURS

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 565, 21 July 1909, Page 7

MINERS'EIGHT HOURS

EXPERIENCE IN WALES. OUTPUT REDUCED OVER 13 PER CENT. GENERAL STRIKE PROSPECTS. (By Tcleeraph.—Press Association.—Oopyrleht.) . (Rec. July 20, 11.30 p.m.) ,' 1 London, July 20. Tho "Daily Mail" states that the first fortnight's . working of the Eight Hours (Mines) Act, in ; South Wales has astounded many. Tho reduction of output consequent on the reduction of working hours is estimated at from 13 to 18 pet coat. Thoro is an actual loss of 700,000 tons in South Wales alone. ... The miners are inolined to favour a general Strike in support of the Scottish minors, on the ground that it will clear the air. They intend to ask for similar support from Scotland later, as the recent peace with English and WelsH owners is regarded as only a patchcd-up affair. ' . PREVIOUS ESTIMATES. . . The committee appointed by the Home Secretary in 1906 to inquire into the probable economic effect of a limit of eight bonis to the' I working day of coal miners estimated that-the working time would be reduoed by .10.27 per | cent.; involving a< loss of production of 25,783 tons, annually, calculated on the basis •of the | output of 1906. These figures are considerably below those given in the cablegram. The committee further reported "An- immediate advance' of ..-prices, wages, and demand for labour would appear to be the inevitable consequence of a legal limitation of hours which' involved an immediate reduction of output; the extent and duration or possible permanence of; the equally inevitable reaction it is impossible to foretell, but it may be assumed, that both will , greatly depend , upon the disposition. of employers and workmen to 00-operate to minimise any inconvenience that may. arise in the initiation! of: a new'system to the general public, and' especially. to the manufacturers of heavy goods for export.". '