THE COAL MINERS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12718, 13 August 1919, Page 5

THE COAL MINERS.

OWNERS 1 OFFER REFUSED. •THE MINERS’ EXPLANATION (Special to “Star.’*) WELLINGTON, August 13. Ins miners’ representatives explain their refusal to accept the mine-owners’ offer as due to the fact that on wages alone it would not bring the miner to the pre-war standard of comfort. The cost of living has increased from 52 to ° bfl ce bb an d the offer by the owners would still leave the wages of miners -a) per cent lower and those of day rate workers 10 per cent less, compared witli pre-u ar conditions. The owners’ proposal to bar the unions from applying for a further readjustment of conditions before the expiry of the agreement is, the delegates contend, contrary to the Arbitration Act Amendment directing the Court to adjust wages in accordance with the cost of living and the variations of the position. Some small unions in the federation would, under the owners’ offer, ho from 25 to 30 per cent worse than before the war. Regarding the conditions the company-owned mines refuse to grant the improvements which the State mines are operating to-day, and tlie miners cannot agree to recommend Australian miners to come to New Zealand because Australian conditions arc much superior. As to future developments, it appears as if the parties bare not altogether abandoned the attempt to secitre a settlement. The miners hav©_ withdrawn the demand that all hewing should be done on day rate to which the owners so strenuously objected. The Miners’ Federation delegates remain in Wellington to-day and further developments are likely to occur at an early date.