COAL MINERS

Evening Star, Issue 17955, 28 April 1922, Page 4

COAL MINERS

HEW SOOTH WALES PITS. THE OWNERS’ TEEMS. Press Association—-By Telegraph-Copyright. SYDNEY, April 27. Tho terms offered to tho miners by tho coal owners include tho restoration of front and hack shifts; the .abolition of tho cavilling system or twelve mouths’ cavil) that machines shall be used in pillar work when required; that if tho management desires it the employees shall work six days each week; that tho hours of surface workers shall bo calculated exclusive of meal limes, those of the_ underground and contract men to bo 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 shall be discontinued ; only six recognised holidays yearly to bo observed; hours in regard to_ back Saturdays to be raised from six to eight. The conference, at which this offer was made has adjourned ,to allow tho miners’ representatives to place it before tho miners’ lodges. The conference will resume at an early date, when the miners’ attitude will bo disclosed. EMPLOYERS’ PROPOSALS DECLINED. SYDNEY, April 28. (Received April 28, at 11.40 a.m.) A special meeting of tho Council of tho Coal Miners’ Federation rejected the employers’ proposals, and decided to stand behind its own claims, which had already been placed before a tribunal. Mr Willis, the secretary, issued a manifesto urging the workers not to be stamped into a general stoppage. He said that tho AllAustralian Trade Union Congress is to bo held in Melbourne in June. This conference would probably formulate a definite policy for safeguarding tho interests of the workers. He reminded the men that it was remarkable that tho previous industrial upheaval occurred during the Nationalist regime, and another was threatening on its return to power.