COAL INDUSTRY

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 10 February 1926, Page 5

COAL INDUSTRY

COMMISSION’S REPORT.

STATE PURCHASE PROPOSAL. WAGES AND OTHER CONDITIONS, BY CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION— COPYRIGUT , Received Feb. 10, 11.8 a.m. LONDON, Fen. 9. The Daily Express says that concrete suggestions in the report of the Coal Commission include a proposal that careful consideration should be given by the Government to State acquisitioii by the purchase of all mining royalties No tangible case is made out for an increase in the working hours of the men underground, the present hours at the coat face being regarded as long enough. The electrical power development scheme should be linked up with the extensions of mining. The commission does not offer-a plan to meet the position when the subsidy ends, but is apparently in favour of a modified subsidy being continued. The existing day rate paid to pit workers does not admit of any reduction. Pit grouping for the better organisation of the industry should be made imperative.. Many mine owners pay insufficient attention to the bye-product industries. Wages should be on a national basis, with local adjustments in piecework rates. Unprofitable pits must be closed, but a modified subsidy might be given to pits on the border line of profit-making. Ans.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

CONTINUATION OF SUBVENTION

CABINET DIVIDED. Received Feb. 10, 11.8 a.m. LONDON, Feb. 9. The Daily Express says that Mr Baldwin is favourable to continuation of limited subvention after May, but Mr Winston Churchill, Lord Birkenhead and Sir W. Joynson Hicks oppose such a course. —A. and N.Z. Assn