MINING DISPUTE

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 17 May 1926, Page 5

MINING DISPUTE

GOVERNMENT’S PROPOSALS. OFFER OF SUBSIDY CONFERENCE A DJOURNED. LONDON, May 34. The Mines Department announces that the Government’s proposals for the settlement of the mining dispute on the lines of the Royal Commission’s report are:— Firstly, in accordance with the commission’s recommendations, all practicable means of improving the organisation and increasing the efficiency of the industry shall be adopted. Secondly," the Government shall immediately introduce four Bills giving effect to the commission’s proposals regarding amalgamation, the provision of a welfare levy on the royalty owners!, the establishment of pit-head baths, the restriction of recruiting in mines, and. the establishment of a national wages- board 1 similar to the. Railway Wages Board; also to set up a national fuel and power council, whereon Labour will be represented, set up a Waggon committee’, appoint a committee to investigate the question of selling syndicates, appoint a committee to examine the Coal Commission’s profitsharing proposals and family allowances, prepare a scheme for the establishment of pit committees to assist men displaced: from the pits, and establish a committee on housing in colliery districts, • Thirdly, before the legislation is introduced a full statement, of the proposals shall be submitted by the Coal Advisory • Committee to the Secretary of Mines, whose duty it shall bo to- review the progress of the fulfilment of the commission’s recommendations and make recommendations' thereon. In .the event of the Secretary of Mines deciding not to adopt any of the committee’s recommendations, the 'latter shall- be submitted to Parliament, together with an explanation of his action. _ „ Fourthly, the Government shall furfher financially assist the industry to the extent of £31,600,000. Fifthly, for an unstated period the miners shall accept an unstated reduction of wages, other than subsistence ratesv the owners making up a proportion 0 f the reduction and -the Government the remainder. Sixthly, meanwhile a board shall be established, consisting of three representatives each of the coal owners and miners, with an independent chairman, to frame a national wages and hours agreement, a governing principle whereon the wages minimum percentage shall be ascertained, taking into consideration the state and prospects of trade, the reorganisation proposals and other relevant ' factors. Subsistence wages shall not be reduced in any district where at present the rate is £2 5s or less. The board shall issue a decision within three days. In the event of a disagreement on the question of wages, the decision will rest with the independent chairman. Seventhly, if the parties agree that a temporary alteration of the hours of work is advisable, the Government will prepare the necessary legislation, to facilitate its passage. Eighthly, any balance of the subsidy will be available for tapering the subsidy after the close of the unspecified period previously mentioned, or otherwise as may be agreed. The miners’ executive last night considered the Government’s proposals and, after a long sitting, Mr Cook (secretary) said that the document must be fully examined by the executive and the conference of delegates, also the mine workers must have the proposals fully explained. The miners’ delegates conference, which assembled yesterday, briefly considered the Government proposals this morning but adjourned to May 20 without reaching any decision thereon. The delegates are proceeding to their homes, where the scheme is likely to be examined.

A statement says that Mr Herbert Smith (president) informed the delegates that the executive had decided there was much in the Government proposals that required explanation. This would be sought from the Government representatives during the adjournment.

The conference carried a resolution expressing its profound appreciation of the self-sacrificing loyalty of their fellow trade unionists, and pledged itself to assist to the utmost any organisation which at the termination of the stoppage was confronted with difficulties arising from the strike.