BRITISH COAL MINES

Otago Witness, Issue 3495, 8 March 1921, Page 21

BRITISH COAL MINES

OWNERS’ HEAVY LOSSES. LONDON, February 27. The danger of a crisis appears to have Increased. The coalowners have decided to give the miners a fortnight’s notice immediately after March 31, when the industry will be decontrolled. The loss, which is estimated at £2,000,000 weekly, owing to the trade slump and the decline in coal exports, and which the Government is now making good, will then fall upon the coal industry. It is stated that the owners express the opinion that a reduction in wages of from 20 to 25 per cent, is necessary in order to put the industry on a sound economic footing. They favour the continuation of State control at least until an agreement is reached ostween the owners and miners. Official: The wages advances to the coal miners under the November strike settlement are no longer payable, owing to trade depression—the output is now only 17,650,000 tons, compared with 19,040,000 for the September quarter. Mr Evan Williams, president of the Miners’ Association of Great Britain, speaking at the South Wales Conciliation Board, said that only 16 companies out of 150 paid a profit in January. Pithead prices of coal at Cardiff were yesterday raised from 5s to 10s. Best house coal is now 53s 2d at the pithead. Mai'ch 2. The Mine Owners’ Association announces, regarding the negotiations with the miners, that the latter had agreed to a minimum wage scheme, with a share in the surplus profits, when the Govern ment announced decontrol, thus creating an entirely new and grave situation. LONDON, March 3. The miners are calling a national con ference to be held in London on March 10 to consider the situation. Meanwhile there will be no further negotiations with the mine ownei's.