COAL CONFERENCE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12711, 5 August 1919, Page 6

COAL CONFERENCE.

DEPARTMENTAL FIGURES.

LPa* Pbbsb Association.] M ELLINGTON, August 5. " nen the Coal Mining Conference resumed to-day Sir T. Bishop, Acting-Under-Secretary of Mines, gave departmental figures showing that the actual cost of producing coal at the State mines was £2 os 6d per ton, delivered to the consumer in "Wellington. Allowing for decreased output, due to the abolition of the contract system, the total increased cost per ton for a seven hour day would be 12s (id, and for a six-hour day 15s Id. This was based on the assumption that the decrease in the output would be 30 per cent. The total increased cost of producing the ■output if the_'demands were conceded would be £155,203, assuming that the miners produced as much coal per hour under wages as under the contract system. The decreased output compared with last year, duo to shorter working time, would be 46,2-85 tons for a seven hour day or 75,213 tons for a six hour day. Mr Pryor, on behalf of the owners, submitted a comparative return prepared by representative mine managers, showing the estimated increased cost which would follow the adoption of the miners’ demands. Tho figures ivere prepared independently of those submitted by the State Coal Department, but it would be seen that they were almost identical.

Mr Flavell, general manager of the Wesbpdrt-Stockton Coal Company, said that the public was chiefly concerned in the question of how to get coal. 'The total output in New Zealand in 1917 was 2,068,419 tons, and the number of employees in the mines 3994, of whom 1360 were colliers- The output averaged 6.43 tons. If ten shifts per fortnight were granted they would lose 26 days’ work, equal to 5775 tons per day, aggregating 228,150 tons. Granting a seven-hour day meant shr 40min work, instead of 6hr 40min, or a reduction on output of over 15 per cent, equal to 310,261 tons. The present holidays were nine during the year, but twentytwo were now asked for. If they assumed that four fell on Sunday and pay Saturdays, nine extra holidays were asked for, representing 78,975 tons. If they agreed to abolish the tonnage rate system for a pound a day, irrespective of the result, there would be a mean reduction of 620,522 tons. If the demand for six hours bank to hank were granted the coal mining industry would soon be as dead as Julius Cssar.

Mr Alison sai dthat,the figures pre* ented by the Mines Department affirmed the owners’ estimate of the increased cost and the decreased output. Nothing had been adduced to cause the employers to alter their decision.

(Special to, ** Star.”) WELLINGTON. August 5At the Coal Conference to-day Mr Bishop, of the Mines Department, submitted the following comparative statement as to the direct labour cost per ton of coal at the mine and the present cost of production;—

'Average of Liverpool and Point Elizabeth mines, 9s 11.87 d.

Increased cost due to increased wages demand, 3s 7.15 d, Increased cost due to decreased working time—7 hours day, 10-day fortnight, 3s; 6-hour day, 10-day fortnight, 5s 7d.

Increased cost due to the payment of a fortnight’s holiday each year, 4.93 d. Free explosions, 4.5 d. Present overhead charges, 3s 3.95 d. Increase duo to reducod output owing to shorter hours, lid. Total increase,'7-hour day, 8s 3.53 - Total increase, 6-hour day. 10s 10.58 d. 3

In addition to this increase it was a simple matter of arithmetic. He estimated the decreased output, resulting from the abolition of the contract system, at 30 per cent. These made the increased cost per ton at the mine 2s 10.35 d, and the increased cost per ton. on overhead charges Is 4.43 d, a total o* 4 ? 2.786, or a grand total of 12s 6.36 d per 7-hour day and of 15s 1.36 d per 6-hour day. On the total saleable output of the mines last year, 205,388 tons, the total extra cost of an equal output would therefore, under the federation’s demands, be £155,205. On behalf of tho coal owners Mr Prior read a similar statement, comparing the present cost of production. Ihe average for Taupiri, Pnkemiro, aipa, Millerton, Denniston, Stockton, Blackball. Paparoa and Mount Torlesse mine*, estimated for 7-hours’ day, the cost under the federation’s demands, the estimates being based on the present average of the Dominion’s rates This statement _ showed for a sevenImurs’ day an increase in labour cost of 8s 44d per ton, and an increased cost in voerhead charges due to reduced output. ol 7s 4d per ton. or a total of 15a Bfd per ton. On the same basis, in a six-hour day, tlieer was a lOg 3fd increase-

Mr Flavell read a statement estimating a reduced yearly output on the miners’ demands of 1,237.908 tons, for a seven-hours’ day and 310.261 for a six-hours’ dav.

EMPLOYERS 1 PROPOSALS. [Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, August 5. In response to a request from the Federation, the employers submitted counter proposals:— (1) That figures from both sides bo submitted by an independent Government nominee. (2) That after the cost of the Federation demands have been definitely decided upon a conference be held to consider a general new agreement, in the light of labour conditions for the increase or reduction in the cost of living. (3) That the offer of the Government to the miners in the State mines, to form a board of control, will be fully considered by the mineowners, the result of such deliberations to he reported to the next conference. (4) That an effort be made to obtain such legislation as will assist the employees in securing homes, by loans from the Government or otherwise. . (5) That the .question of superannuation be fully entered into. Mr Alison reiterated the owners’ decision not to discuss the five principal demands. Mr Roberts said that the responsibility for producing the coal rested on the mineowners. The miners wanted such conditions at 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.