COAL MINING INDUSTRY

Otago Witness, Issue 3517, 9 August 1921, Page 22

COAL MINING INDUSTRY

NATIONAL AGREEMENT DLSiI’UTE. MINERS APPROACH OWNERS. WELLINGTON, August 3. The long period of silence observed by the Miners’ Federation in the dispute regarding the making of a new national agreement was broken by Mr J. Arbuckle (Federation Secretary), who recently wrote to Mr Bishop {Acting-secretary of the Coal Miners’ Federation) stating, “We are prepared to discuss a settlement of the present dispute in the coai mining industry with vour association on the basis of the present national agreement with the right to discuss the hours of work. If this is suitable we would be pleased to appoint representatives to meet you at the earliest possible date. With reference to the action of your association in filing cases against individual unions in the Arbitration Court, we consider that a distinct breach of the present national agreement. At the annual conference of miners’ delegates which has just finished in Wellington it was decided definitely that under no consideration would individual unions be prepared to enter into individual or district agreements either through the Arbitration Court or otherwise.’’ Air Bishop replied : “I have been instructed to say that several coal mining companies belonging to this association are not prepared to consider the making of a new industrial agreement witii your federation. it does not therefore appear that any good result would be likely to arise out of a conference between the two organisations. This, association regrets that your federation is so strongly opposed to tho making of local agreements Lei ween tho miners' unions and their employers. 1 beg to suggest that the president’and the secretary of your federation might meet the president oi this association and mv.sclf te> discuss the grounds of t ur opposition, with ihe object 0 i ase-cri lining whether your opposition to local ag cements cannot bb overcome.” THE MINERS' ULTIMATUM. WILL FIGHT TO THE LAST DITCH. \\ ELLINGTON, A ngus: 4. Mr ilunii Arbuckle, secretary of the Miners’ !• ederatioa, in reply to the mineowners refusal to consider a renewal of tho national agreement, states that the fedcration will not consider local agreements. The miners will light to the last ditch before giving up tlieir national agreement, v.'tech was only brought about after nogo Rations that cost tlie Government, the miners, and the owners much money, lie I said:_ “There can only be owe reason for refusing to continue a form of agreement under which the industry has been more settled than previously—namely, the separation of the miners' unions and the bursting up of the federation so that the owners «ill be able to defeat the unions singly and revert to the old conditions, which were a disgrace. A preliminary conference such iis is propo~ed would be ! '-..it!<---. athe miners have already decided to stand or t .ill 1 is t; a nstm '.i! - cement.’’ Mr .-'..buckle re: t e ra i ■ a I lit- j apio-t for ano! her t-oinerei, e j.. con -iic'r tin rene-a ;! of the nutiniuil .'green.- oi. i i .- i,.. . ■, - i "'ill cen-.e v lan: (he a vet led j b .: \. nation Coma males w.sn-- o\ iiiihi . id;, present national agreement. NATIONAL VEi'Si'- '.()•: 'A!, \ <;: • u MEN I WELLINGTON, Am.-: I 'The I urn of e . e. IS m eo-'ic. -.- ■ ,i ~ n !■ I h-- coal nan:. into: : . . u ■ ! a . ■ | day. will <:• -me as a grntu r;:rp' i-e to Ihe I 111: nian S he it.; i i-oi, nei - a I a I li-en' . Oil! 11l - 1- e s ral ■ n ites ffi ! < lded to ignore t lie Arhitra t ion t ouri an i |(il natlli II ! 11l 1 11. I llgl ee: Ill'll I . ( n e : ;ereturj id the Miners Fedm a i ion suit the <;v. nei a I !;«.■ iuliow our !. I in, : In rculj to ; a.i li*. ii-i of (in- -tn! he • . in ..ill. ! you .-I :'e ihnt tlie. sell'Jal I on imr I UHj. i.'ii"., I -don: f a, I ; i :e ( .a! M ne.'."ner-' A- ■: ■ m i. ire i ol j i<- . I,l' r U.-'o ■ O' • '■ i.ai ■ ,'--,11,- :. I desire to oi;. Inal I Ih ~h ihi. is ( 0 lie M IK - lie ! on! Alio -■ | ,|, i , i ... will noi < • 111 -11:■ i : i iii.i i. : . . ;. , ] aI eemeti i : l hi am - . la -I pi i :| i,; -e i! a ■, t , i , 111-|- local condition . I n, r, i ~. ij oualown. r- arc selling ( hem-d w o-:t 1,, hills! lip the pro.-cul national a g u en n-n : li will cost them un i inis c unlry more

pounds tiian pernups they are prepared to in a.:, tor i can assure you that the miners of this country will light to tin 1...- i liuicll, be: u. i . a , .'p. no I! they ai ■ • u- • it,.-I | I. e . u I. |, _i : , . ... co' "i 1 ueir ,■ - • a! i. c hr.--: ,ippoi i nninv. I u uuld like . o lira-, your ai: eol c u 1 I lie fa -l 1.: : it a;:- cost t Ao i. . miiei: i a vet y i ■ m.io (.. i ■ . ai -o I, , . ■ ■ : and i tie in i oc. i u ! on.: . a I. u ; j. . . ilia 1 , n 11 ■ -me::: ; aid a i ihe innereru e iief.l .hr hi - ey in; -. -d :.. ■ ■ tlit li . : id :. it-., lip, ■ - - i. i r some lime to come. i : - i i mailin'!:: \ as eiaio. - h b\ i n - i ;; 1 -c.viii i - and 1 :u- mine: . a, .a. I we I i.. , a I'll' avll.ea- r- l-l; g lo cotltimie an agrecmeiil: thai undoubtedly has II ten the : emu ol n ei i_ tlie eo.il in - dtisiry in a morj .-.eti.-ed state than ever it ag iji'eviousg ; a nd as ti.erc is nothing in the na.t'i.uial agreeme.ni that does m ■ apply t - ali mines, lin-iu can be o m • reason for he ] .. sent attitude of your Association, and ih: ; is tin- eeparation of iaa- dliferent, wa ins, mu! me : .w.,... up of the federation, so that you will be able to defeat the muons singly and enforce ai, the old eondi i joiis. winch were a disgrace to the coalownors. in regard to the request that the president and myself most you and the president ol your Association to try and overcome our opposition to the local agreements, 1 must state in reply that such a in- eting would bo fruitless, as the miners at their recent conference decided to stand or fall by the national agreement. This action has been endorsed by the unions, so you must see that a conference would be only a waste of time and money. 1 hope that your Association will reconsider its decision and meet the Federation representatives with a view of settling the present national agreement for a further term. As to the threat of the miners to tire country and the owners, both can vitw the situation with a certain amourtt of equanimity., judging from the vast quantities of coal that are at present stored up in the various railway yards. This coal lias cost the country very dearly, but the wisdom of the Government in getting it in will now be apparent. There is enough coal to keep the railways going tor many months, and there is even a possibility that in the event of a strike, or a return of the go-slow policy, the Government may be able to assist certain local industries if necessary. MINERS PREPARED TO CEASE WORK. WELLINGTON, August 4. The Acting Prime Minister when appealed to regarding the declaration of the miners, whose policy is in oposition to local agreements, c-ouid not make any statement. In regard to the get eral question, said Sir Francis Bell, i am only concerned so far as the Government mines might be affected. Outside them the matter rests between the miners and the mine owners. Mr Arbuckle, on being interviewed by a Times reporter, said no Miners’ Union would be represented at the Conciliation Court proceedings. They were ignoring ihe proceedings. Should the Arbitration Court attempt to make an agreement or an award, said Mr Arbuckle, overriding the exiting agreement, the miners wore fully prepared to cease work, and would be prepared to fight for an extension of the present national agreement, with such alterations a-s might be deemed advisable. CONCILIA': lON PROCEEDINGS ADJOU RNED. The Conciliation Commissioner (Mr W. IT. Hugger) held a sitting of the- council in Dunedin on. Thursday to consider a dispute in the district coai industry. The application was filed by the New /fal,-mil Coal hi,-.; O.i < 'mini:'.!-. i.Ltil.), iiie film.: Point -I o.d Company (.Ltd i, anil rd-ssrs Ctni in B'"-., who as.,oil mat tlie following IU.-liie: i:>'.vi:i'i- should m: cited as n null's to the dispue : Nightcaps Coal Con.'g.iiiy, pr>.:pri,-tors l ara: , mil mine. Kahuna Coal Company t Limited). Brttco Huilwtr. and Coal Company. Mossbank ( ' .it ( a;.-,gaiiy, Lit.; m and \Vaiiuo (lord Company, New Bright on Coal Company, Watrakei Coal Company, Black Diamond Coal Company, Fernhili Cool and band Company, Freeman's Coal Company, Last Taicri Coal Company, Loudon’s Coal Company, Brighton Coai Company. The applicants alio cited as respondents the Green Island, Shag Point, Nightcaps, K album.: at a, Mat,aura, and Waronui Coal Miners' Unions, but no one appeared on behalf of the unions. The a-'-essors for the applicants were Messrs VV. Carson t,manager, Kaitangata), W. if arcluy (manager, Nightcaps), and <j. Christie (manager, Green island). The claims put fotovaui by apriioants were divided into general claims covering tho whole district and special provisions to apply separately to the various mines. The general claims provided for an eight-hour day for underground workc-rs, bank to bank, a <ci for su.iaco work-wa eight lm s exclusive of meal time. Every alternate Saturday is to be an idle day, exccj ; at Green Island, where four hours are to be worked every Saturday. Christmas holidays are to ruff- from. December 24 to January 2. both day s inclusive. Other holidays shall bo as provided in present existing ngreo- | meuis. Men employed at any w ork on a | 'Sunday, wlmv-hor regularly so employed or i no! sUei h" nni'.l ai tho rale of time mid j a-half. Men eV ployed on the C3tk aed 26th -of 1), e in •' . 'i : -' ’ a or kuu 1 ■ ■I an tin ty shall be paid ifoitble tun n out , men ■ : ■ 0 " ■ y e- "Oiti 1 >ttc 2> : ■ o’, both :. I b !--- I '■ hiiarv i:t i:: a- nr u:i- : -. i.it-s. .Mi v.-ik d . nil ’ n I: erhu ■' h --! m ! hi- emenl shall Ir.e paiii tor a> the rate of time and a-ll.til'. Uvertimc shall lie paid ; ,Y. -:-'i y il.e C«"'l Mines Am. A y | ..iisu'it" which cannot tie set I I'd ty the iiie e 1 1 i'll! 1' ' , i i : ■ ' II:-. 'I 'l'll I ! nf | ini'. - ... i-e il: u w.o'K i'cfi! IVi I 1 p, 11,8i.-ti-ioi !)i-nntes nut -e. j’ is agreed Tv all part* t Cut no strike. Sock- | out. or o we: -ppUgl' of : I pi: . i" mhie mile m -1 ■ - ip - . ' hi-i w have ! e n ~ 'I , .' a as pro • I it'll ■ or ol o. and I lia ■ ! am- d .pi-i ni of lit • I ; --: . ■ I lispitUi ('oinimi.pe shall be T'S'Uly e-ceopd |e all Tile a .e> .ten of u r ■ --low j • ■ a if.- -ail -ill-li ' •■' I'l'S :l''!"l| .1 II j|i 1( . , : eeviK t. and all v. orl: i s par- ' , '. - ,' i . - ■ . Jill ' - ' I he Till!.' i ■ ■ I , 1 1 -,:. , vrl .:<! tii'l me. 1 !m p. i ■ if j e.vn-.i A M lor : - reUf m l . so,e.d - i iv,: kei . rope' at let.da els, In ... |,i (ver.s. win. kuieii. arid pit bottom, r . '■'■ i pi.l | . - d:tv for tin.-.' over 2:5 %>••>!•» <■, I" n- e l i day for those from | 14 to T 5 veers; for shiftmen first class Iks, .serve a! .'lev 17s; minors (liken from 'face f'T any nth r work. 18s. Surface

workers —General, from 14.- 6d to 15s; blacksmitlis, irom 19s Ni to 17s; t arpon, ers. 18s ~ l first class and 16s second class. A miner working on tonnage rates, who shall be uruiulo through no fault of his own, in earn an average of 16s per sin:: for any fm might-, shall be pain am an . .. . ::t .. ; .ay be nor .-.ary to bi.ng ;:y hi. cumin m; to that average tor the p. no (. tj.n. mi . . d.n s tor iiev. ing rales of 1j " ' were ul: .eked for r nan of the ii'mi- - p-a, mines If;ir.' bring no appearance of any rei rc-reiit.invc-s ter the unions and; no counterilaiius having belli filed on tlmir be .mi, tee eonimls loner decided to adjourn the sitting uuiil August 23 with a view to getting i'll.. communication with the various unions in the iiope that they would nominate assessors lor tin next sitting, if they refused it rested with him to appoint representatives for the unions and in the event of their filling to appear he could then deal with ibe matter or refer the dispute to the Arbitration Court with no recommendation MOD EE ATES V E.R SINS EX Tit MM I STS. Yv ELLINGTON, August 3. If is understood here that Mr J. Arbuckle has resigned Ins posith u as secretary of the Coalminers’ Federation. Air Arbuckle war. always regarded as one of the extremists at the recent election of officers of the federation. Mr Davidson, a moderate, was selected as president of the federation,. iio defeated “l’addy” O'Rourke, who was an extremist. Mr Arbuckle was elected secretary, but it is common talk here that, he v, as finding ii impossible to work under the new moderate presidency. His resignation is interpreted as a sign that saner counsels are beginning to prevail in the federation. Of late we have not heard much about extreme demands as the six hours’ day, and the mines are now being worked more quietly than they have been for a long time past. Figures showing the coal output for the North Island, for first half of the years 1918 to 1921 (inclusive), are as follow: Persons. It ear. Tons. employed. 1918 271,730 913 1919 202,408 959 1920 229,905 964 1921 253,444 1063 With reference to Air ,J. Arbuckle’s letter, Mr - 1. A. Bishop (secretary of the Coal Aline Owners’ Association) states that two statements made by Air Arbuckle are entirely misleading. Mr Arbuckle said that the national agreement had undoubtedly been the means of keeping the coal industry in a more settled state than over it was previously. The second was that the owners' object in seeking to make local agreements was to burst, up the miners’ organisation and to enforce old conditions that were a disgrace. Mr Bishop said the period of the so-cnl'ed national agreement— February. 1920, to February, 1921—was the most troublesome ever experienced in the history of coal-mining, ami produced more petty stoppages of work, loss of output, and loss of wages than had ever before been experienced. The object the owners have in view is to make agreements capable of being understood by all parties thereto in the only way in which such agreements can be made —viz., by negotiation between the unions and the management at each mine. If such negotiations are not permitted, tlie only recourse is the Arbitration Court. There is absolutely no desire to interfere with the internal affairs of the miners’ organisation or the relationship between that body and several unions. No attempt is mad-' in any of the proposals submitted by llte owners to revert to any former conditions that were not satisfactory, nor would the Arbitration Court permit any retrogression of that kind. Tho owners regret Air Arbuckle’? opposition, but feel assured that when the proposals are better understood by the miners a settlement will be reached.