HOLIDAY WITH PAY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23491, 4 May 1938, Page 17

HOLIDAY WITH PAY

CONCESSION TO MINERS POSSIBLE INCREASE ,IN COAL PRICES (Per United Press Association)* CHRISTCHURCH, May 3. Because of the granting of a holiday concession to miners, representing a net cost of (id a ton on all coal mined in New Zealand, there was a possibility qf a slight increase in coal bought by retailers, said Mr C. C. Davis, of Christchurch, president of the New Zealand Coal Mina Owners’ Association, to-day. The concession was granted at a conference between about 60 delegates of the association and of the New Zealand Miners’ Federation in Wellington last month, Mr Davis said. Requests were made by the miners for increased rates of pay, shorter hours, and alterations in working conditions. The conference lasted four days, and finally it was agreed that the agreement regarding the existing conditions and rates of pay should be renewed for a further two years. The concession made to the miners would give them a paid holiday at Christmas, based on one day in each 20 worked by individual men throughout the year, with a maximum total of 10 days’ holiday. Mr Davis expressed appreciation of the very friendly manner in which the negotiations had been carried out.