STATE COAL MINES

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2131, 24 April 1914, Page 8

STATE COAL MINES

I CASE IN ARBITRATION COURT. CreymbutH, April 23. The hearing of the State Mines dispute was commenced, in the Arbitration Court yesterday. ,'Tho proposals filed by this Department represent reductions in tho hewing rates, and in tho wages of some of the daily hands; the counterproposals by the union aro' practically th» same as the agreement which expired in January last, and "under which the mines are still working, Mr. Coppersmith, for the union, form* ally objected to Mr. A. KiniboH appearing on behalf of tho Department, contending that only a person connected with the State Coal Department could appear as agent, while Mr. liimbell V'as in the Public Works Departi'nent. Mr. Justice Stringer said Mr. Kimbell was appointed to appear by warrant of the- Minister of Mines, and ruled that Section 121 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act did not apply ._ Tho Mints* ter had authority to appoint Sir. Kimbell. The Court approved tho appoint* Mont.

Statements put in by .the Department .showed that tiro debit balance -of the Point Elizabeth No. 1 mine last year was £7377, capital being taken, into account in striking tho balance. Another statement showed 'the average daily learnings of the miners m 10D5 to be [ lis, 7(!„ with gradual yearly increases 'till November last, when tho irxdrago. : earnings were IDs. Since January.lasfc the average bad been, 17s. 4d. These ■ I averages include, only Minors at the face. Comparative statements were also put in showing that the avcrago earnings of aiiiGrs at Blackball last year, ending in December, were 14s. 7d. per day, and to the end of March last 16s. IQd.; at Paparoa, Ite. M.i MiHerton and Bennisten, 15$. Bd. to 16s, Bd. The hifcronsed cost, of tho State mine was attributed partly to tho extra ;-cost of trucking tho -coal The nmwmt written off for depreciation m ' tho State raino last year was greater than in any previous year. Previous years' balance-sheets had shown a prolit. There is a large .number of witnesses to bo osatniftodj and tho hoaring is likely to last several days. It was agreed to take separate avvanJa for the Point Elizabeth aud Liverpool State mines, Tho evidence so far letl on behalf of the State is in tho direction of' showing that the Department's .proposals will enable standard wages, to bo made, and will put rates and conditions at Point Elizabeth on the sainc footing as obtains in privately-owned mines hi tho district. The Bhtckbal] agreement fras arranged before til* 'Conciliation Commissioner.