THE MINING CRISIS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18049, 24 September 1920, Page 5

THE MINING CRISIS

FAST REACHING BREAKING

POINT

MINERS' FEDERATION THREAT.

WORKERS' EARNINGS

FALLING OFF IN OUTPUT

DEPENDENCE UPON IMPORTS.

(From Ouu Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, September 23. «ho mining crisis is fast reaching breaking point. ±>'or many months pa-st, it has been apparent, tliat somo sinister influence lias been at work making trouble both for tho mine owners and their employees. No sooner is one trouble settled tliau another aither comes along or is invented, and the tools are hardly taken up for the resumption of work before they aro laid down again. Tile mining industry haa neves' been in sueli an unsettled oondition for many years past, yet no cno seems able to say exactly what are tho specific grievances which lead up to the "irritation"' strikes which now appear to bo o£ almost of everyday occurrence, and wluch are bringing about a partial paralysis of industry, „ besides threatening to dislocate the transport services, upon [which the people of New Zealand _ are so greatly dependent for tho necessaries of daily existence. If the men could point to any real grievance that ought to, and should be, remedied, the public would bo less impatient with them, but by all accounts tho miners are able to earn good money, and so far as the Stato minors aro concerned, they arc living under better conditions than many city workmen, while tile Mines Department, with a. view to making tho conditions of tho State collieries more congenial, has authorised substantial sums for improving tho recreation ground at Rnnanga, and for the laying out of suitable grounds for a bowling green and tennis courts; and authority has also been giv ;t for the erection of a suitable building to enable the men, after ceasing tlie!day's work, to enjoy a cup of tea. Yet it is from Rmnanga that the Prime Minister has been notified that the men now refuse to work mere than seven days in a fortnight, thus initiating a.nother "goslow" movement, that must still further reduce the output of coal from the, State colliery. THE COAL SHORTAGE. In fare of a world-wide shortage of coal, it is deplorable to think that production should be falling off year by year in a country such as New Zealand, with almost illimitable resources in coal, and that we should bo driven to the necessity of importing still larger quantities of coal to miiko good the deficiency, or, rather, in the attempt to do so. The report of the Mines Department shows that since 1916 the production of con', within tho dominion has fallen off by 409,287 tons per annum. The record stands as follows:— Coal Output, Decrease on 1916 Output, Year. Tons. Tons. 1916 2,237,135 — 1917 2,063,419 138,716 1918 2.034,250 222,985 1919 1,647,848 409,287 This falling-off is attributed: in tho Mines Report mainly to the "go-slow" policy, which was in ope.rat.ion amongst the miners from_ September 1, 1919, to March 13, 1920, but in part also to the number of miners being slightly fewer than wesro employed during tho preceding year in the Stato collieries the diminished output by the hewers employed amounted to 13,104 tons, and their consequent loss in wages aggregated £2790. In the West Coast district, whence practically all our hard coals are drawn, the decline in production last year was very marked, and had an appreciable effect on the mineral traffio on tho Westland railways. This may be seen by a reference to the Railways Report in -.vhieh the General Mam.gov of Railways (Mr R. W. M'Villy) says (page VI): "' The quantity of coal carried on tho Wcstport section was 459,452 tons, against 551,401 toss for tho previous year, a decrease of 91,958 tons, or 16i per eont. On tho Oreymouth section tho quantity carried was 283,663 tons, against 566,443 tons the previous year, "a decreas® of 82,783 tons, or 23 per oent. The output of coal carried on the Greymouth section far tho year ended March 31, 1915, was 514,795 tons, compared with 283,665 tons at March 31, 1920." The decrease (231,130 tons) represents a declino of 45 per cent, in the output of West Coast coals in six years." It, is quite true that there has been a falling-off in the number of miners employed both abovo and below ground, as between ttic two years referred to, but the failing-off in output lis not alone due to tho reduction in the number of miners, from 4156 in ISIS to 3944 in 1919. The output per man employed underground has, also fallen from 711 tons in 1915 to 648 tons in 1919. It was highest in 1916, when the average per man was 750 tons, so that it may bo talien for granted that the lower figure does not represent tho miner working at his best. Why he should bo content to thus penalise himself by joining in . a "go slciw" movement, 'which benefits nobody, is one of those mysteries for which no roasonable_ explanation is forthcoming. It is doubtful if he understands that he does not suffer alone, but penalises the public also by going daw, as the overhead charges remain the same, whether 10 tom or 50 tons are turned out. The smaller the output the greater the cost of tlio coal, and thus tho public suffers with the miner in his self imposed limitation of hia wageearning- capacity. DEPENDENCE UPON IMPORTS. According . to a statement made by Mi Massey in. tho House the_ other day there i: enough coal in sight in Now Zealand to last the country for a thousand yeare, but the fatuous policy pursued by the miners has driven, and is driving, somo of the besl men out of tho mines. They not unnatur ally object to the senseless "go slow" business, which leaves them poorer in pockel and keeps tho majority of the men living under hand-to-mouth conditions, so far a: their earnings are concerned, but they alsc resent the dictation of the majority in othei matters, such as levies in aid of objects witl which they have no sympathy, but whicl they are expected to support because tin leaders of the union direct them to do so Tlio consequence is that there is a grea shortage of workers in tho mining industry and until that can bo remedied it is uselcs; tn talk of opening new mines. Tlie onl; alternative therefore is to import the coa that cannot be produced, owing to thi causes stated, to make good the shortage Coal has been imported at cost of ove £7 per ton for uso on the railways, anc similarly high-priced ooals have had to b< utilised to make good tho deficiency in looa production, and to keep the power stations electric lighting plants, and gas works going with the result that the public is payinj more for tho public utilities than ever. 1 is not pleasant to contemplate what woulc happen if the overseas supplies were to bi suddenly cut o!f. In view of" the greatl; reduced local output, more than ever N cv Zealand is dependent to-day upon the sup plies she is drawing from the common wealth, and from America and other coun tries, and in consequence moneys that coul( and should be profitably invested in coa mining enterprises in New Zealand are flow ing out of the country. THE MINING UNREST. Scarcely a day passes but somo nev trouble arises in connection with tJie coa mining industry. Mr Massey was engagei for over 10 days in tho earlier part of tin voar in th e endeavour to 'bring about i better understanding between the mine owners and the men in their employ, witl the object of ending the "go slow"" move ment. He was so far successful that ai agreement was come to between the partie principally interested, and the troubl. seemed to have been ended. But the signa tures were scarcely dry upon tho agreemen before fresh trouble began, and it ono again became evident that some influenc was at work with the intent to pet petuato the unrest that lias been si markedly apparent in tho conduct o the coal miners during the past chrei years or more. Under the agreeirieii which Mr Massey was instrumental in bring ing about the miners are getting aC leas a 20 per cent, rise in wages, and tlii hewers, if they chose to do so, could a some of them havo done, earn £2 per 'da' and over. Tlie average net daily earning prior to that agreement being made were 17s lid in 1913-14. 16s 5d in 1914-15, 18s ii 1915-16, 19s 6d in 1916-17. 23s 7d in 1917-18 and 24s 7d in September, 1918. Now it i stated they aro able to earn a. groat dea more, and tho Government has done its bes to induce the men to increase their output

but apparently in vain. A statement made by tho lion. 10. W, Ali .son, chairman of directors of tho Taufriri Coal Mines (Ltd.), is to (he cflcct that working under normal pressure the inon could have averaged 30s per day at the present hewing rates, or an average for the year of £405 per man. The averivge wage earned is, Mr Alison states, 27s 5d a day for hand men, and 31s <?d for machine men. i'rem tho wages standpoint ihe men do not, therefore, appear to have any real cause for complaint, the minimum rate of pay being fixed at 19s I'd per day. A BAD EXAMPLE FOLLOWED. 1< olio'.ving tlie bad example set by the State coal mino employees, the iiuniiy minors have novr "downed tools" witii the idea of torcixig the Government to aii'ord tiiein preferential treatment over the Huntly-i'uketimo railway, upon which special tram services liavo been provided daily for tho convenience of the miners; tile departure and arrival of tho trains being iLxed to suit their convenience, in going to and returning from work. r llio miners asked for tickets at suburban rates, instead of the 12-trip tickets, which arc issued at cheap rates, and aro available by any train. The Government and the RailWay Department both take tho stand that if tho demand was granted similar concessions would have to be mado to the general public all round, and that, they say, is out of tho question. The men have i.o quarrel with their employers. They have no claim upon tho Government for special consxlcration or treatment, but they profess to think they have, and so they refuse to work, and the leaders of the Miners' Federation throat-on to make the quarrel they are forcing upon the Government the occasion for a general downing of tools on tho part of the miners of the doi.iinion. It is time the public became aroused to tho seriousness of the position and realised the true objective of* those who are responsible for the continued unrest amongst tho miners of this dominion, which is the overthrow of constitutional Government.

THE MINER'S CASE.

STATEMENT BY MR P. C. WEBB.

AUTHORITIES BLAMED. (Per United Press Association.) . GREYMOUTII. September 23. The State mines were idle to-day. This i". the iift.li day, these mines have been idle during the past fortnight, but not in any ease have they been so on consecutive days. In order to ascertain' tho_ actual position as from - the miner's standpoint, a representative the Argiis to-day interviewed Mr P. C. Webb, president of the State Miner's Union, who stated that, owing to illness, he had not been in actual touch with the matters in dispute. Asked if the trouble wa3 likely to continue, Mr Webb replied that that Yvoi,ild depend, as far as lie could see, upon circumstances of which the Government was fully cognisant. Asked if the press statement alleging the possibility of more serious industrial trouble were based on fact, Mr Webb said that the question was. one best left to the Miners' Federation Executive to answer. He added that as far ai he know a great deal of dissatisfaction dees exist at the mines, which, if dealt with ,bv the Government sympathetically, would disappear. Keyond this he preferred to say nothing, concluding that any future action must rest with the federation. Asked if the Miners' Federation had requested the State miners to pursue their present policy, Sir Webb rep]ied: •"Decidedly not." Asked whether the State miners would resume to-morrow, ho stated lie did not know, as that point would be decided by the men that night (Thursday). He further said, as regards the prospects for next week, that, lie was unable to descrilxs them as brighter, but stated emphatically that the unanimous wish of the miners is that the near future will witness less 'trouble. Through pin-pricks, however, the whole industry was in a bad way of disorganisation, and little seemed to be done by those in authority to rise to the occasion and rcmovo the several causes of disaffection. Tlio federation had made plain to the Government and the employers the na,turo of these causes. H© preferred to ]eavo the matter rest at that. Questioned about tlio general coal shortage, Mr .Webb said the mines at present developed could, if fully ipannqd, and sympathetically administered, produce more coal than the industries of New Zealand could consume. Why this quantity was not now available was due to the pinpricks against workers generally in evidence, causing the miners to seek other employment, as he knew many were doing.

SHORTAGE OF COAL IN AUCKLAND,

STOPPAGE OF TRAMWAYS IMMINENT.

. (Peb United Peess Association.) AUCKLAND, September 23. . "Wo have, received no news o£ coal coming' forward or of tho likelihood of any addition to our nearly-exhausted stocks in time to avert the stoppage of the tramway service," said the Mayor this morning, ill speaking of the situation as it is to-day. Stocks aro now held in "such small quantities that the Public Services Committee will announce to-morrow tho definite time which tho tram service may be maintained. So far as the city electricity station is concerned, added Mr Gunson, there ia enough coal in hand to serve for another ten days from now. Wo have, however, received no further advice from Newcastle', and it is impossible to say when the first shipment of overseas coal for the council will como to hand.

POSITION AT 'HUNTLY.

MEETING OF MINERS.

ADJOURNED TO SATURDAY.

PROSPECTS OP RESUMPTION HOPEFUL.

(Peb United Pkess Association.'} AUCKLAND, September 23. The Huntly Miners' Union held a meeting to-day, at which a communication from the secretary of the Miners' Federation, asking the men if they would return to work and leave the matter of arranging a settlement of tho dispute to the was considered. It is reported that the meeting, which was attended by about 220 members, decided by a small majority to continue the strike. However, in view of the small attendance, and tho fact that the Rotowaro and Pukemiro men. who were most interested, were practically' unrepresented, it was decided to adjourn till Saturday, when a fuller attendance could be obtained. Tho prospects of resumption after Saturday's meeting are said to be hopeful

WARNING TO DOMINION.

BE READY FOR EMERGENCY.

(Froju Oub Own Correspondent.) \V ELLINGTON, September 23. Tho anxiety of .tho dominion in regard "to the- coal situatioi was reflected in a. question which Mr J. A. Nash (Palmerston) asked tho Prime Minister in the House of Representatives this afternoon. Mr Nash asked for a statement in regard to supplies. He said that lie liad had ward from Palmerston North yesterday that they had not enough coal to carry on at the gasworks for the night. They had managed to obtain some relief, but the position was very bad. The same position obtained all over the _ dominion, and he asked the Prime Minister to state whether any more supplies were coming forward. The Prime Minister said that the coal supplies were still very far from being satisfactory; only that morning he bad received a message to tho effeofc that the State coal miners were idle again. They had been working yesterday. He had no idea why they wore not working yesterday. Today ' tho body known as the Coal Miners' Executive had waited on him, and had had a long interview with him in the Cabinet room, but no decision had been reached. Tho chairman of directors of the Huntly mining companies was coming to Wellington. He had already left Auckland. When ho arrived they would have another conference. What tho result would be ho had no idea. Matters were not good. A considerable quantity of coal was coming from Newcastle, and they were keeping tho railways and industries going. How long that would continue he did not know. He just wished to tell the people of this country to be ready for any emergency.

PREPARATIONS FOR A RAILWAY "CUT."

(From Oub Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, September 23. No information regarding the situation at the coal mines, other than that given in the House of Representatives, was obtainable yesterday. The Primo Minister was again in communication with tho representatives of tho men, and whjle nothing has beon said of tho progress of the negotiations, it is understood that were it not for tho complication of the "irritation" stoppage at the State mines, tho position could be do-

scribed as showing a slight improvement I lie menace to the continued running of full tram services has diminished a little. It is understood that there is not the same danger of a reduction of time-tables as was feared during the past few days. The Railway Department had mado all arrangements for a cut, and was quite readv to carry on y.itn a diminished service. What the extent of tho reduction would have been has not been officially stated, hut there appears to Have Ix'on every prospect of as general and as drastic a reduction of services aa was necessary coring tho period of virtual coal famine last yoar. It was not only hi the norili where the coal trouble was most! acute, tliat the 'out," would have operated.