COAL OWNERS AND MINERS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 16506, 6 August 1919, Page 3

COAL OWNERS AND MINERS.

COUNTER PROPOSALS SUBMITTED. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, July 5. In response to the request from _ the Federation the employers submitted counter-proposals: (1) That the figures from both sides be submitted to an independent Government nominee; 4 (3) that after the cost of the Federation demands is definitely decided upon, a conference be hold to consider a new agreement in the light of the .general labour conditions and increase or reduction in cost of living; (3) that the offer of the Government to the miners in the State mines to form a hoard of control will bo fully considered by the mine-owners, the result of such deliberations to be reported to the next conference; that efforts be made to obtain such legislation as will assist employees in securing homes either hy loans from the Government or otherwise ; (5) that the question of superannuation he fully entered into. Mr. Alison reiterated the owners’ decision not to discuss the five principal demands.

Mr. Roberts said the responsibility for producing coal rested on the mineowners. All the minors wanted was such conditions in the mines as would attract miners and so assure a full supply of coal. The conference adjourned until this afternoon to enable the Federation representatives to consider the proposals made and the figures presented. TO-DAY’S PROCEEDINGS. MORE PPROPOSALS FROM MINERS. WELLINGTON, August 6. When the Mining Conference resumed to-day Mr. Roberts, on behalf of tho men’s delegates, said that Labour considered the owners’ so-called counjgirproposals submitted yesterday were merely camouflage of the real position in view of the fact that they wore unable to have access to the books and accounts of the owners. Tho Federation urged;— _ 1. That a Royal Commission be appointed to inquire into and report on the coal mining industry; the personnel of such commission to be two representatives of tho owners and two of the Miners’. Federation, with an independent chairman; tho commission to be empowered to have access to and inspect all books, documents, accounts, etc., of all mining companies, and examine witnesses, and inspect mines and mining conditions generally. 2. That as the offer made by the employers only suggests that an agreement bo made in tho light of labour conditions generally and the increased cost of living they failed to see how the suggestion contained in tho employers’ counter-proposals (clause 1) would affect tho settlement of the dispute on lines suggested in clause 2. . 3. The Federation agreed to" discuss with tho State mine the question of miners’ representation on the Board of Control. It further agreed that other owners should have an opportunity of considering the proposal. However, they did not consider that question should prevent an industrial agreement at tho present conference. 4. Tile coal question is of such vital importance that in the opinion of the Federation, the housing question and proper sanitary conditions at all mining towns was a work the Mining and Health Departments should undertake immediately. The offer of the coal owners in respect of loans for houses is entirely a Government question and could not be conceded by the owners.

5. The question of superannuation to bo considered when trie report of the Royal Commission was presented. Mr. Roberts said the counter-pro-posals contained nothing at all as far as the industrial agreement was concerned. The federation wanted the public to know tlie true position. The workers could not agree that there would he a decrease in the output. The federation hud considered the counter-propo-sals fully and had decided that they were not acceptable. ■ Mr. O’Rourke, said ho wanted to tell the owners cordially that there was absolutely nothing in their proposals upon which they could cease their endeavour to heal the breach and get over the difficulty. The federation had no desire to sec an upheaval, lior did they want to see tho people starved for coal. They felt that if the conditions were improved more men would engage in mining. However, in order to bring about a satisfactory arrangement, they were prepared to hold over in the meantime the five points objected to in the hope that tho owners would then he piepared to, discuss the remaining planks in the demand. If the owners did not accept the onus would be on their heads. If an agreement was arrived at it was for the rn,nk and file to say whether it was acceptable or not. An adjournment until 2 o’clock this afternoon was agreed to in order to give the owners an opportunity to prepare a reply.