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Hokitika Guardian, 2 December 1929, Page 4

Thk news of the prospective settlement of the long drawn out coal dispute in Australia on Saturday, is exceedingly pleasing at this juncture. The stoppage has now lasted about nine months, and in wages alone represents a loss of two millions. Some 10.0 DD miners were idle in tlie northern fields, and they were assisted with a dole relief provided by various labour unions, the sum of which must also have been a very substantial amount. The terms of the settlement indicate that the compromise new reached has resulted from substantial contributions by both the State and Federal Governments to

enable a reduction in the price of coal, and so facilitate marketing profitably. The miners have agreed to a reduction of ninepence |xt ton, and the Government find another 3s out of the five shillings reduction in sale pi ice. The reduction to the coal owners is thus Is 3d per ton. Jt is to be h ped this adjustment will be acceptable, so that the industry may renew the even tenor of its way as a special, factor in the country’s progress. According to the general conditions of the settlement to lie ratified, both sides agree to observe the spirit of the agreement in such a way that production will be stimulated and there are to be no heart-burnings or victimisation. This indicates a proper estimate of the natural obligations falling on the parties, and it is to be hoped the lesson to both sides of the frnitlcssness of the stri .e will he such that all conditions will be respected in the spirit and purpose intended. Australia is rather prone io staking. The weapon is used all too frequently, and the lesson should long ago have been learned that it is futile to resort to such processes indiscriminately with the hope of exacting unfair o" impossible rewards. The loss to Australia in this coal dispute, both directly and indirectly, it is impossible to estimate with any degree of nc'Urnoy. It must amount to many mill ons of money at a time when the Commonwealth is in serious financial trouble. The whole business was ill-advised and ill-direct-ed, and it is to be hoped that the saner advice and c ns’deration which have since resulted so satisfactorily, will he a starting point' for better industrial relations in the coal-mining industry. There is a le~son in this matter for New Zealand as well as Australia; and if that has. been realised there will he a least some satisfaction in the final outcome of the struggle, which invariably is so disastrous to {dl concerned.