PRICE OF COAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20113, 26 November 1928, Page 7

PRICE OF COAL.

STABILISATION SCHEME.

NEW SOUTH WALES PUN.

NEGOTIATIONS NOT COMPLETED.

[FROM oun OWN COII"RESPONDENT. ]

SYDNEY, Nov. 15

The Premier of Now South Wales,' Mr. Bavin, is not having anything lilfe the success ho anticipated with his coal prices stabilisation scheme, and the coal industry continues to drift. Every week seBS the closing of some small mine which is not being profitably worked, and mora miners arc placed among the already great army 9l unemployed. Mr. Bavin evidently anticipated that tbo miners would take kindly to the scheme, but what justification lie had for siich a view it is difficult to see.

Tho reduction in wageß which jhe scheme involved was almost infinitesimal, but it was ft reduction, and, therefore, the miners were opposed to it. Most ol! them would rather loso their jobs altogether than submit to a reduction in their wages of a few shillings each week. They say, in effect, " close Uia mines if you like and put us on the scrap heap if yon will, but don't reduce our standard of living." Where is the logic of their demand ? It lias been explained to tho miners that they will be called upon to bear a reduction of only Is a ton in the price of coal. Such a reduction would be spread over all tho employees of the mines, and would not fall solely on the hewers, or the truckers, or on any individual section. It is doubtful whether any employee would hfive to sacrifice as much as 3d a ton. It is more than two months since Mr. Bavin announced his plan, and ho is still without a definite answer from the Miners' Federation. The federation refuses to say '' Yes," and, at the same time, displays no anxiety to slam the door against negotiations. {n the first instance, the proposal w;W rparje to the Northern miners oniy, and then the federation asked that they should be made to the Southern ipjners i*s well. Thp federation elections -ire fibout to take place, and those who are seeking election are not likely to advocate a redaction jn wages; therpfore, the negotiations are at a standstil]. In the meantime, tl)e Premier of South Australia, Mr. Butler, who precipitated the crisis by ordering coal frpm England in preference to Newcastle, because the English coal could be landed at Adelaide at a saving of 10s a ton, is becoming impatient i)t the flplfiy >n Ne\v Sojith Wales. South Australia is preparpd tp make a sacrifice by taking Australian coal if the price is reduced the promised: 5s 9d a tori, and Mr. Butlpr came to Sydney to interview Mr. Bavin in.an endeavour to discover bow Uiq negotiations were proceeding. Mr. Bavin was unable to give Mr. Butler much satisfaction on this score, but Mr. Butler agreed tp postpone farther action for one month. As South Australia is taking 600,000 tons of coal finnually from New South Wales, the loss of that trade would bo a serious matter. Mr. Bavin recognises that it will bo impossible to reduce the price of coal to the English level, because of the cheap freights offering. NEW ZEALAND HONEY. REPUTATION IN ENGLAND. [FROM OCR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] LONDON. Qct. 19.

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