THE PRICE OF COAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 17491, 8 June 1920, Page 4

THE PRICE OF COAL.

REASON FOR INCREASE.

HIGHER WAGES, SHORTER HOURS.

The increase in the price of coal as from the beginning of the present month of two shillings a ton is stated by Auckland coal merchants to be the result of recent advances in the wages paid to men engaged in the retail coax trad.-. Shed hands, carters, and others employed in this business received an increase of six shilling a week, and in addition .bad their weekly working hours reduced from 48 to 44. It is estimated that thesis concessions to the workers represent an advance in wages of 16s 6d a w>efc, this calculation being bated on the fact that the men are paid at the rate of time and a-half for all ".ma worked in excess of 44 hours a week. The actual result of the new award in to increase the cost of handling coal by two shillings a ton, and when this fact was made clear to the Board of Trade the' latter gave its consent to the retail price being increased.

The retail prices to consumers now are 64s a ton, £1 12s 9d a half-ton, 17s 3d a quarter-ton, and 6s Id for single-sack lots. These prices ire subject to a discount of 2s a ton, Is a ' -if-ton, 6d a quarter ton, and 2d a sack for cash.