AUSTRALIAN MINES

Otago Witness, Issue 3942, 1 October 1929, Page 29

AUSTRALIAN MINES

COMMISSION’S FINDINGS UNIONS CHALLENGE ACCURACY. SYDNEY, September 24. Although the Premier (Mr Bavin) ha* conferred with both sides, thera is considered to be small chance of an early resumption in the coal dispute following the commission’s findings, the miners having previously refused 'to be bound by the commission's decision. The union officials have challenged the accuracy of its computations. They state that improper allowance was made by the commission for the endowment of compensation and income tax, and the finding therefore was equivalent to 3s sjd per ton. Mr Bavin subsequently stated that the owners were prepared to reopen the mines on the basis of the Government's proposals.

WILD TALK OF AGITATORS. SY DNEY’, September 24. Discussing the coal commission’s report, Mr Macdonald, secretary for the proprietors of the Associated Northern Collieries, said the report showed clearly that there was no ground whatever for the wild talk as to the profits from these mines being from 5s to 9s per ton. Nothing would convince political and industrial agitators to the contrary so the country had been put to huge expense by the commission’s inquiry, which, after an exhaustive investigation, has found the position to be very much as was stated by the Government a year ago. CABINET CONSIDERS REPORT. SY DNEY, September 24. The State Cabinet considered the Coal Commission’s report, after which Mr Bavin sent a letter to Mr Davies, the general secretary to the Miners’ Federation, asking if the combined unions are prepared to accept the Government’s proposals, which provide for a reduction of Is per ton in wages, equal to per cent, off contract earnings, and Is per day off other labour, the State Government to reduce handling and haulage charges to the extent of 25d per ton, and the Federal Government to pay a bounty of Is per ton on coal sent to interstate ports. COAL PROFITS. SYDNEY, September 25. The first direct move of the coalfields to refuse to accept the findings of the Royal Commission on coal profits came from a combined meeting of the Hepburn No. 1 and No. 2 mines. The miners stated that under no circumstances were they prepared to accept a reduction in wages or an alteration in conditions, and they were confident that the miners’ leaders would refuse to compromise in any way.

MR BAVIN’S LETTER. SY'DNEY, September 25. A meeting of the full committee of the combined mining unions is being held on Friday to deal with Mr Bavin’s letter. It is reported that a large section of the northern miners is anxious to return to work, but a small section is prepared to await the result of the elections on October 12, reiving on Labour, if it is successful, to safeguard their interests. The police guard at the northern mines is being strengthened. NORTHERN OWNERS’ LEASES. LIABLE TO CANCELLATION. SYDNEY, September 27. The Crown Solicitor (Mr Tillett) advised the State Premier that the northern coal owners had rendered their leases liable to cancellation through failure to employ men. The covenants provide that a certain number of competent hands shall be employed, and that unless prevented by accident the mines must be worked on all lawful working days. The question, therefore, is whether non-einploymcnt owing to the present dispute is an accident. Mr Tillett is of opinion that the owners are not entitled to rely thereon, and that the question of fact must be determined by the Executive Council.