PIT EARNINGS

Grey River Argus, 17 May 1938, Page 4

PIT EARNINGS

Miners’ Share INCREASED WAGES. An analysis of statistics compiled by the Mines Department for the December quarter of 1937 was issued recently by Mr Philip Gee, secretary of the Mining Association of Great Britain states the “Daily Telegraph.” He declared that the statistics provided an answer to the questions, “By how much has the price of coal risen?” and “Where has the money gone?” Mr Gee’s statement ran:

“Comparing the December quarter with the corresponding peiiod of 1936 there has been an increase of Is 6:fd per ton in the average proceeds from all coal disposed of commercially. Of this, 10-ffi has gone to wages and 7d in other casts, stores and timber accounting for 6:ld. The colliery owners were left with an increased ‘credit’ balance of I’d. The miners’ money earnings were greater by 9d per shift. “If the comparison is made with the December quarter of 1935, there was an increase of 2s 7Sd per ton in proceeds, of which wages received js 71a, other costs accounted for lOd, leaving an increased ‘credit’ of 2ld.

“The miners’ earnings increased by Is 6d per shift, compared vyith December, 1935.

“The total wages bill of th? ’ndustry in 1937 was £106,568.038, an inc. ease of nearly £12,500,000 over 1936 ana of over 1935.

“Average proceeds in 1937 were' Is '.d per toi higher than in 1933. lVar.es cost was T.ffi per ton higner, other costs were up by 4d. There was an of Lid per ton in the Tiedit’ balance

•■'.omparo.! „ith the year 19.35. proceeds w°rc 2s 4id per ton higne.’; of wh<h Wuce= g i Is 3RI other ■ osts accounted for 4:? cl, and the increased ‘a edit’ ba'ance was 83d.

"The mine workers have shared fully in the increased revenue of the industry. With regard to the credit’ balance, it must be remembered that this is not the same thing as a net profit, since it is arrived at before charging such items as interest on debentures or bank loans, and certain other items, which are estimated to amount in the aggregate to! 3d per ton or more.”