BRITISH COAL TRADE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19760, 10 April 1926, Page 11

BRITISH COAL TRADE

THE OWNED S’ PROPOSALS

REJECTED BE MIXERS’ EXECUTIVE

(Prt»» A*soctatioo —By Telegraph—Copyright.)

LOXDOX, April 8. (Received April 9, at 5.5 p.m.) It is understood that the executive of the Miners’ Federal, n has decided to reject the coal owners proposals in connection with the Royal Commission’s recommendations and to recommend the special conference of miners delegates which is being held to-morrow to refuse district settlements and wage reductions. Reuter.

The coal owners informed the Miners Executive that for the sake of peace and settlement, they were prepared to negotiate for an agreement on national lines, but that the industry must stand on its own foundation on an economic basis, aw. could net be continued by means of a Government subsidy. The owners were emphatically of the opinion that an extension of working hours was an essential condition of restoring the industry. They emphasised the necessity for increased output, and proposed that each district should fix its own minimum percentage. A national board should settle the question of the district minimum. The present national minimum of 33 1-3 per cent, need not necessarily be maintained. The owners oppose 1 compulsory amalgamation, but were prepared to consider voluntary amalgamation and reorganisation of the industry. They were opposed to any change in regard to by-products, and were agreed that nationalisation was impracticable.. DELEGATES’ CONFERENCE. INTENSE PUBLIC INTEREST. LONDON. April 9. (Received April 9. at 9.30 p.m. ) There is intense public interest in the conference of miners’ delegates to-day. The Daily Herald is silent regarding the terms of the executive's recommendation, but there is little doubt that it will demand a national agreement and a national minimum wage, while not closing the door to negotiations or rejecting the Commission’s report. Mr Herbert Smith, the miners’ president, in an interview, said that the miners should not be called on to make further sacrifices. “I do not believe that the public require the miners alone to bear the cost of the reorganisation of the industry,” he said.—A. and N.Z. Cable.