COAL CONFERENCE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12712, 6 August 1919, Page 6

COAL CONFERENCE.

I MINERS’ PROPOSALS. { i ROYAL COMMISSION ASKED. (.Special to the “ Star.-") WELLINGTON. August 6. At the Coal Conference this morning Mr Roberts said, on of the Federation. that in view of the fact of the Miners’ Federation being unable to have access to the. hooks and accounts of the coalmine owners, it- would be useless to agree to the appointment of a Government nominee to decide the difference of opinion regarding the cost per ton for coat production and the decreased output if the miners’ demands were granted. However, the coal owners have made statements to the conference and the Press as to the increase in the price of coal and the decrease in .the output. The miners’ representatives arc of opinion that these statements are based solely on the supposition. that there would be an enormous decrease in the output of coal under the day wage-s system. In order that an indisputable basis of agreement regarding the question may be arrived at. tho federation urges that—1. (a) A Royal Commission be appointed to inquire into and report on the coal mining industry. (b) The personnel of such commission to be two representatives nominated by the coalmine owners, two representatives nominated by the Miners’ Federation, and an independent member agreed ou by both parties. Failing an agreement on selection of chairman, the question to bo decided by Minister of Mines, (c) The Commission to be empowered to have access to and inspect all books, documents, accounts, etc., of all coal mining companies, to examine witnesses, inspect mines and mining conditions generally, and to issue a report thereon as soon as possible. 2. That, as the offer made by tho employers ..only suggests that an agreement can he made, in the light of labour conditions generally, on the increased cost of living, we fail to see how the suggestions contained in the employers’ counter proposals, clause 1, would affect the settlement of the dispute on the lines suggested in clause 2. 3- The federation agrees to discuss with representatives of the State mines the question of the representation .of the miners on the Board of Control. e further agree that other coal mine owners shall bo allowed time to make further investigations on this question and the representatives of the miners are prepared to discuss the question of representation on the Board of Control at any time that the coal mine owners may decide. Wo do not, however, consider that this question should in any way prevent an industrial agreement being arrived at during tho present conference. 4. The CPal question is of such vital, importance that, in the opinion of tho federation, _ the housing question and proper sanitary conditions in all mining towns is a work which tho Mining and Health Departments of the Government should see is undertaken immediately. Tho offer made by tbe coal owners with respect to loans under the Advances to Settlers Act is entirely a. Government question, and therefore cannot he conceded by the coal mine owners. C. The question of superannuation to he considered when the report of the Royal Commission on the mining industry is presented. [Pkr Press Association.] ! AV ELLINGTON, August G. . At the coal conference to-dav, Mr O’Rourke said he wanted to tell the owners candidly that there was absolutely nothing in their proposals upon ' which they could cease their endeavour to heal the. breach and get over , the l difficulty. The federation had no de- i sire to see an upheaval nor did they ! want to see the pe'ople starred for coal. 1 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 the owners would then be prepared to discuss the remaining planks in the demands. If the owners did not accept, the onus wcluld he on them. If an agreement was arrived at it was for the rank and file to say whether it was acceptable or not. An adjournment until two ‘o’clock this afternoon was agreed to, in order to give the owners an opportunity to prepare a reply.