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GOLD MINERS' WAGES

REQUEST FOR INCREASE APPLICATION AT WAIHI CONCILIATION PROCEEDINGS [by telegraph—OWN correspondent] WAIHI. Wednesday Based principally on the ground that the goklmining industry was in a prosperous state, the Ohineiuuri Miners and Batteries Workers' Union made an application in Conciliation Council to-day for a 15 per cent increase in all wages paid under the expiring industrial agreement and a corresponding increase in prices paid to contractors engaged in mining. The claim covers the 10 per cent wages cut made by the mining companies in June, 1931. It was asked that this be restored ajnd an additional 5 per cent granted. The Conciliation Commissioner, Mr. P. Hally, presided. With him as assessors were Messrs. E. Dye, W. Bill, W. Lynch and J. Roberts, representing the applicant union, and Messrs. R. G. Milligan, H. W. Hopkins, J. L. Gilmour and M. H. Wynyard, representing the Waihi and Golden Dawn Gold Mining Companies.

Demands of the Union The union also seeks a 44-hour w«sek for all workers, six hours to constitute a * day's work in hot, wet or gassy places, and to he paid for as if the worker had worked eight hours. It asks that no youth under 16 years be cmployed in or about the battery or tailings plant unless by arrangement between the union and the employers, and, further, that in any case where the net amount received by men working on contract is less than the minimum underground rates payable to miners under the agreement, the cash difference shall be paid to the contractors.

In presenting j the case for the workers Mr. Roberts contended that the prosperous state of the mining induiitry, due largely to the substantial premium on gold, fully warranted the granting of a 15 per cent increase. Since the 10 per cent cut in 1931, he said, legislation had been passed increasing the men's burdens. There was the sales tax, a heavy unemployjient tax and the increase to 25 per cent in the exchange rate. The workers had received nothing in return. The arguments advanced by the mining companies in 1929, when reductions in wages were sought, might have had some justification then, but the position had now entirely changed. It was all in favour of the companies. Ore that a year or two ago could not be treated at a profit was to-day giving the companies satisfactory returns. The men felt they were entitled to participate to some extent.

Amendment ol Request The remainder of to-day's sitting was taken up with a general discussion of the claims, during which the commissioner suggested that the companies' representatives—at least as far as the Waihi Company was concerned —should favourably consider the restoration of the 10 per cent cut, which he thought was a reasonable request on the part of the union. He advised the men's representatives to amend their claim by striking out the demand for the additional 5 per cent. Mr. Milligan stated that if the request for the 15 per cent increase were granted the cost of mining and treating ore would be increased by 2s 3d a ton. The immediate effect would be that 'the Waihi Company would have to discard 8000 tons of ore already blocked out. This, with the ore of higher value, could be handled at a profit, but not with increased charges. The union's representatives retired to consider Mr. Hally's proposals. On returning, Mr. Roberts said they were prepared to accept the restoration of the 10 per cent cut and the general conditions obtaining prior to its taking effect. No decision was reached and-, the Court adjourned until the morning.

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Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19340308.2.133

Bibliographic details

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21744, 8 March 1934, Page 11

Word Count
603

GOLD MINERS' WAGES New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21744, 8 March 1934, Page 11

GOLD MINERS' WAGES New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21744, 8 March 1934, Page 11