THE COAL CONFERENCE

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue LXXIV, 5 August 1919, Page 7

THE COAL CONFERENCE

DEPARTMENTAL FIGURES

I (BY TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION ) " - WELLINGTON, Aug. 5. A\ hen the Coal Mining Conference resumed to-day Mr T. O. Bishop 4c W-rlJuder-Secretary of Mines, gave the departmental figures showing the actual ■test of producing coal at the State pfcuws was £2 5s 6d a ton, delivered to the consumer in Wellington. Allowing -for tha decreased output, due to the abolition of the contract system the total increased cost per ton for the seven-hour day would be 12s 6d, and for a six-hour day 15s Id. This was baeed 1 °n the assumption that there would be a decrease in output. The -total increased cost of producing the ©ntput if the demands were consented to would be £155.205. Assuming the miners Vroduced aa much coal per •hour under the wages as under the contract system, the decreased output compared with last wear, due to shorter working time, would be 40,285 tons for a seven-hour day, or 75,213 tons for a «rx-hour day. OWNERS' COUNTER-PROPOSALS. .^fojpponse to the request from the ■JWaefWaon, the employers submitted /?\ mT lnS counter- proposals; . (1) That figures from both sides be submitted to an independent Government nominee; (2) that after the rest ''■ •+ i c f^^ation demands are definitely decided upon a conference be - JMJId to.consider a new agreement in ' tlie light of the general labor condi•toons and the increase or reduction dn • * .^° st of llvir 'S^ -<8) that the offer +1 m overnment to the miners in , ths State mines to form a Board of -. Control will be fully corsidered by the mine owners, the result of such ; deliberations to. be reported to the next, conference; (4) that an effort be .•made to obtain such legislation as win assist the employees in securing homes either by loans from the Government or otherwise: (5) that thp , question, of superannuation be fully entered int». y Mr Alison reiterated that the owners' decision was not to discuss the five principal demands. l Mr Roberts said the responsibility for [producing coal rested on the mine ownr K j-+- ] • miners wanted was such conditions in the mines as would attract miners, and so assure a full supply s^The conference adjourned until this' afternoon to- enable the Federation representatdves to consider the proposals made and the figures presented