COAL DISPUTE SETTLED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20426, 30 November 1929, Page 13

COAL DISPUTE SETTLED.

[AGREEMENT REACHED.

MUTUAL CONCESSIONS.

.WAGES TO BE REDUCED.

COUNTRY MUCH RELIEVED

[BETTER TRADE OUTLOOK

By Telegraph—Press Associntior—Copyright. (Received November 30, 12.25 a.m.) SYDNEY, Nov. 29. The dispute on the northern coalfields Jias at last been settled, and an agreement, which provides for a reduction of .wages, gives the owners the right to dismiss aiiy employee, and provides for assurances by the miners for the prevention of petty stoppages, has been adopted by the miners'/ delegates at a conference" with jfche owners, which concluded to-day. . This agreement is to be submitted to meetings of miners on the northern fields for ratification. It is regarded as practically certain that they will do so. The announcement of the settlement taused tremendous relief throughout New South Wales, as it was thought that the 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 was also prevalent that the Government's threat actually forced the miners' hands. To-day's agreement, which will become Operative on December 9, provides for a redaction of all contract" wages by «per cent, and also for a reduction of 6d per ton from wages of day labour employees at the collieries concerned. The owners on their part agree to submit figures to a committee of employees, fchowing that the reductions mentioned represent 9d per ton on the average over ithe whole of the collieries concerned. The miners have undertaken not to Restrict the output of coal. An earlier message said the Ministry !had altered its plans regarding the Rothbury mine. If the negotiations between the coal-owners and the miners had failed the Ministry intended to proceed immediately with manning the colliery with free l^bou?.