COAL DISPUTE

Hokitika Guardian, 30 November 1929, Page 5

COAL DISPUTE

SETTLED IN AUSTRALIA.

(Australian Press Association)

SYDNEY, Nov. 29. The Coal Dispute on the Northern Fields has at last been settled.

The agreement provides for some reduction of wages. It#retains the owners’ right to dismiss any employee.

There, is an assurance by the miners for the prevention of petty stoppages. The agreement has been adopted by the Minors’ Delegates at a conference with the Coal Owners, which concluded to-dav.

This agreement is to he submitted to meetings of the .miners on the Northern fields for ratification.

It is regarded as practically certain that the miners will ratify the agreement.

The announcement of the settlement has caused tremendous relief throughout New South Wales, as it is thought that the New South Wales Government’s proposed action in opening the Rothbury Colliery would have precipitated a general strike, and a complete dislocation of the Christmas trade. A feeling is also prevalent that the Government’s threat actually forced ’the miners’ hands.

To-day’s agreement becomes operative on Decemjber 9th. The agreement provides for the reduction, of all contract wages by twelve and a hal| per cent. There is also to he sixpence per ton reduction from the wn v ges of the day labour employees at the collieries concerned.'

The owners, on their part, have agreed to submit figures to a Committee of employees show that the reductions mentioned will represent a ninepence per ton reduction on the average over the whole •of the collieries concerned. The miners have undertaken not to restrict the output of coal.

COAL AGREEMENT.

COST OF THE STRIKE

(Received this day at 9.40 a.m.) j. SYDNEY, Nov. 30

If the rank and file accept the terms of the coal agreement it will mean coal for inter-State and export trade will be reduced five shillings per ton, made up as follows Federal Government, one shilling; State, two shillings, owners Is 3d, miners ninepence. ■, ■ , .

The stoppage has lasted nearly nine months and has represented a loss of two million sterling in wages to ten (thousand miners who were idle on the northern fields.