COAL CRISIS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 3 April 1926, Page 7

COAL CRISIS

STATEMENT BY OWNERS ON COMMISSION’S RECOMMENDATIONS ißy Elecn-tr Telegraph.—Copy rittht.) (Reuter's Telegram*) LONDON'. \ pril 2. Aii oliieia I -I ai erne lit ol the coal owners' proposals on the Royal ( ommission's report appends replies to commissions tin l recommendations ad seriatim. 'The replies to a large extent express agreement or ai-quieseence in the reeommeiidn t ions, including willing m-.-s to engage in national a> again-l district discussion, which they sironglv advocated. 'The owners are ol opinion that i lie recommendations as in State ownership of minerals is a Parliament an question. They agree lha I : lie methods, of payment id men not employed at the face should be reviee.l mi as lo give | hem a direct interest in iulf.nl. They recognise Hull the miners vv ill tun enterta in the prnposa 1 <d longer hours, and they therefore wish In discuss the reeommeiidal ions that the delmitinn id winking time be vveel - ]v instead of daily, and greater llexil.ilii v in vv orking hours. 'The owners consider the most urgent matter is settlement of the minimum pen-.‘litage on ihc basis ol rales alia the amount of subsistence wage m each ilisl riel. MINERS' STATEMENT

LONDON". April 2. The Miners' Federal ion executive issued a statement on tin* two days r onferenee with the owners. The executive describe the owner-' views on tlm Commission's report us indefinite, anil consider the reiusal to consider the fixation of n miliiuial minimum percent age and the iiisistenei on all wages being a district cotieein. const il ntes an almost insurmountable obstacle lo adi amicable set t lemen!. Tliev assume in the absence of definite proposals for- a minimum percentage that the owners’ position is tin* same as. in lasi duly and consequential "'are reductions vary from one to live slu 1! - ings daily. Tin* executive unanimously decided not to cons.-id to further lowering oi wages and the abolition of a national minimum percentage. 'The national delegates coiitercnce !o i .insider Ihe position will be held er. idli April prior to which Hie executive of (In* Eedera t ion will eon ter vv i 11 1 the industrial committee of the I fades Union ( '(ingress.