COAL MINES DISPUTE

Greymouth Evening Star, 1 March 1917, Page 2

COAL MINES DISPUTE

STATEMENT BY THE OWNERS.

WAGES THE STUMBLING BLOCK.

[PER press association.]

WELLINGTON, This Day

• The coal mine owners have issued a statement concerning the conference with the- eoal workers. They state that the Workers' Federation pressed for a Dominion, agree, ment, which included seventeen claims applying to all mines. These included a 17. J/ per cent increase on the present rates of pay and drastic alterations in working conditions. Six representatives, from each side were .appointed to confer on Monday. The Federation submitted amended claims, which did not modify the demands for increases, in pay.

The amended claims were considered and rejected by the owners, who submitted counter propo?ialsi which offered a war bonus, of s,per cent to coal hewers and truckers, working on contract, and 1\ per cent to wages men. These concessions were .estimated to absorb between £35,000 and £IO,OOO per annum if accepted. These increases would make the total war bonuses 13 per cent to coal hewer and truckers, working on contract; and 17* per cent to Wages mejn on previous, rates.

As coal mining is not generally \ profitable, any increases necessarily.'.' would be passed on to the public;.'; meaning an increase on household coal of from four to five shillings per,.. ton. The Federation intimated that they could not accept the owners' proposal!!, but would submit them.to'lhe.; unions, which, thev felt sure, would" support their decision. '' ■- •