THE WAGES ISSUE

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 102, 26 October 1929, Page 9

THE WAGES ISSUE

BRITISH COAL MINES

WILL THEY BE REDUCED?

IF HOLES ABE FEWER

British Official Wireless.

(Received 26th October, 11 a.m.)

RUGBY, 25th October

After a meeting to-day between the Cabinet Committee and the officials of the Miners' Federation it was stated that the final proposals of the Government in regard to the coal industry would be given in writing to the Miners' Federation next Wednesday. It is understood that the difficulty at the mcmient primarily concerns the wages issue. The Government is prepared to redeem its election pledges to amend the Eight Hours Day Act of the late Conservative regime by the !si bstitution of either a H-hours' clay iwith one winding time or," if the miners prefer, an 8-eight bank-to-bank day. But the Government cannot guaranI tee that there shall be no reduction, of _ wages. They are uot possessed of power to do so. The most they can do —and they are seeking to do it—is to obtain an assurance from the coal owners that they will not reduce wages. Thus far it is stated that such assurance has not been forthcoming. The owners maintain that a reduction of hours would .load to a reduction of output and foreign markets could be retained only by reducing the basic rates of wages. But in any ease the Government intends.to proceed with legislation for the reduction 6f hours, and it is proposed that it shall become imperative in April next.