MINERS’ WAGES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22269, 23 May 1934, Page 5

MINERS’ WAGES

THE DISPUTE AT WAIHI SECRET BALLOT TO BE TAKEN. (Rf.b United I’bess Association.) WAIHI, May 22. Indications point to an early settlement of the dispute between the miners and the district mining companies, Waihi and Golden Dawn. At a special meeting on Sunday a crowded attendance' decided to take a secret ballot on the terms offered by the mine owners. The offer of the Waihi Company is an increase of Is 4d per shift; that 8d of this amount will be added to the schedule rates and 8d will be made by way of bonus, those payments to be made restrospectively as from March 19 last. .This will practically restore; to all wages men the 10 per cent, cut made in 1931, but to contractors it will mean somewhat less as their weekly earnings average about 21s. The Golden Hawn Company’s offer is an increase of Sd per shift, with a provision that the question of wages may be reopened by the union after a period of three months.

The offer was made .following lengthy conferences of the disputant parties in March and April, and again on May 18 and 19, before the Conciliation Council. Mr P. Hally presiding, with Mr J. Roberts as leader of the miners’ assessors and Mr R. J. Milligan leader of the mine owners’ representatives. At the conclusion of Sunday’s meeting a motion of thanks and confidence was passed, to Mr Roberts and the assessors who conducted the union case.