FIRM ON ALL DEMANDS

Evening Star, Issue 17637, 16 April 1921, Page 8

FIRM ON ALL DEMANDS

COAL CONFERENCE IN N.Z. [Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, April 16. The Coal Conference was resumed today. Mr Kimball (Under Secretary for Mines) put in further figures showing that at Wellington depot coal was sold within the city limits at 60s a ton, though it actually cost 65s 3.5 d. At Christchurch depot the actual cost was 57s 7.8 d, and the price to the consumer 60s. At Wanganui the cost, delivered to the consumer, was 65s Shod, and the price obtained 655. Mr Reece (Westport-Stockton) said that Mr Arhuckle knew very well that the increased price of coal was due to the increased labor costs in all directions. The owners did not blame the miners solely. Mr Arhuckle: Is it not a fact that during a great deal of the year the State coal depots were empty, and the staffs wore paid while idle? The Chairman: Yes, that is so. The State coal was subject to control. Wo had to send coal where we were told. Much went to gasworks. If wo had had more coal our results would have been better. Mr W. Baiderstono (federation representative) drew' attention to the excessive cost of transport. It practically cost twice as much as to get the coal out of the mines. The cost of trucks at Greymouth was 13 0.62 d, and the cartage at Wellington and and yard labor cost 22s a ton, as much as the cost for Greymouth. Mr Arhuckle said the Union. Company was getting a 100 per cent, increase on its freight, and owners would not give an increase to the miners. The men were only getting a 30 per cent, increase on tonnage rates. Mr Baldorstone said the public ought to know that the miners were not responsible for the increase in the price of coal.

Mr Arhuckle emphasised that tho State Department 1 s expenses were greater than thoso of a private company, and yet the coal from tho latter’s mines sold for between 15s and 18s more per ton than from tho State mine. Mr O’Brien said that no depreciation was allowed for the miner.

Mr Reece replied that, capital must boar interest, and allowance must he made for brain work. Mr O’Brien answered that if brain or body served in production they should bo rewarded. It was tho people who did no work but drew tho money whom Labor objected to. After further interchanges Mr O’Rourke said tho miners wanted a definite statement as to whether tho owners were prepared to grant tho mandsMr Arhuckle said it was up to tho owners to show why they could not afford to give the miners a better share.

In reply to Mr Reece, Mr O’Rourke said the miners would stand by the whole of their demands.

Conference adjourned till Monday afternoon.