GOLD MINERS' WAGES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21804, 19 May 1934, Page 13

GOLD MINERS' WAGES

NEGOTIATIONS AT WAIHI PROGRESS NOT DISCLOSED UNION MEETING TO-MORROW [by telegraph—own correspondent] WAIHI, Friday When tho Conciliation Council resumed the hearing this morning of the applications of the Oliinemuri Mines and Batteries Employees' Union and the local branch of the Amalgamated Engineers' Union for restoration by the Waihi and Golden Dawn Gold Mining Companies of the 10 per cent wages cut, the commissioner, Mr. P. Hally, asked the men's assessors whether they were bound to carry" out the instructions received from the workers in general meeting insisting on the cut being fully restored and on the inclusion of the Golden Dawn Company's employees in tho agreement. Mr. J. Roberts, replying, said the position was that unless the demands were acceded to, the men's assessors would have to refer the matter back again to a general meeting of union members for their decision as to the course to be pursued. They could not accept a lower rate of wages for men working next door and who were parties to tho dispute. Tho Golden Dawn employees had stated that they were not prepared to work for less than their mates at Waihi, as their work was harder, owing to the method of working the mine and other disabilities not experienced in Waihi. Mr. R. G. Milligau, one of the Waihi Company's representatives, said tho Waihi Company could not afford to increase costs by more than Is a ton, so that tho limit to which it could go was an all-round bonus to the men of Is ad a shift. If costs were increased more than Is a ton, there would have to be a reduction in the tonnage of ore broken, which would not be to the advantage of anybody. Advantage was being taken of the premium on gold to develop as much low-grade ore as possible so that the life of the mine would be prolonged. The increase of Is 3d a shift oliVred by the company would bring every Worker on the schedule to within Is .a week of what ho was getting before the cut in 1931. Mr. Roberts: What is the difference in regard to contractors? Mr. Milligan: That is a different question. Their rates are adjusted from time to time. After the luncheon adjournment Mr. Roberts suggested that a freer discussion in regard to reaching an agreement might take place in committee. This course was adopted. After a further conference between the assessors of the parties it was decided that no information should be made public in the meantime, but that the result of their deliberations should be conveyed to members of the Miners' Union at a general meeting to be held on Sunday morning.