ANOTHER CRISIS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17454, 31 December 1930, Page 8

ANOTHER CRISIS

BRITISH COAL INDUSTRY EXPIRY OF AGREEMENTS POSSIBILITY OF STOPPAGE (British Official Wireless.) Rec. 2 p.m. BLOB’S, Dec.3o. Tho industrial Board for tho coalmining industry heard an appeal of the North Wales Miners” Federation yesterday lo the parties to Ihe dispute, who will meet in Cardiff. Tho colliery owners have altered to continue llie present lemponiry woiking agreement, which expires to-mor-row, for another month, provided that il nu iimeerfient. on future terms is not reached by JamutrV 14 the differences will be ‘ referred to independent arbitration. . ,

Tho miners have declined tbe proviso about, arbitration, holding that the proper arbitrated body should be the National Industrial Board, which the owners refuse to recognise. They were not represented at yesterday’s meeting of the board.

Tho main point at issue is one of wages. Under the form of spread-over suggested by the owners an 11-day fortnight would be worked. The men complain that this means a loss of one day’s work and one day’s pay per fortnight; as compared with the old 12-day fortnight. It. is understood that the board recommended an agreement for three months for a spread-over of 45 hours per week, and 90 hours per fortnight of 12 working days. Mr. A. J. Cook said last night that he was sure that there would be no stoppage if the recommendations wore accepted by the employers. The owners and miners in two coalfields failed to agree to-day in North Staffordshire. The manner of working Spread-over was discussed, and both sides are referring the matter to the National Goal Board, but in the meantime work will continue on day-to-day contracts.

This afternoon the South Wales miners’ conference objected to the proposal of Ihe owners, which presumably differed from the recommendations of the National Coal Board. The latter suggested a three months’ agreement oil the basis of the present Wages and five days of seven hours 36min., with live hours 40min. on Saturday; The South Wales owners refuse to recognise tlie National Borird. Efforts are continuing to roach a fresh agreement before tho expiry at the end of the month of (lie temporary arrangement. Unless the'Government intervenes in the situation, which is possible, a stoppage during the new year is inevitable. South Wales colliers affected number 153.000,