WAGES OF MINERS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17346, 10 May 1924, Page 12

WAGES OF MINERS.

CAN THE CLAIMS BE MET? By Telegraph—Press Association— Copy right Reuter’s Telegrams. (deceived May 10, 2.20 p.m.) LONDON, lYlay 9. Jbe report of tho mining conimit- | too continues,: —“It is really undis- ; f ,i,tod that the i.groenienc of 3921 tailed j to provide an adequate wage in many jot tlie poorer districts. Tho real issue jis far more fundamental. Tho miners «!.*.soit that they arc entitled to .secure j u lull living wage tor all engaged iji j the industry, primarily out of ihe totfd profits. Jt these aro inadequate, they ! contend that it rests with the iniq,e owners, by altering the organisation of the mines and the disposal of pro- , 'hice, to increase the amount, and, if i still insufficient to pay the wage, the 1 character of tho mining which i is . the foundation of all other indns- ! tries in tho <*ountry, requires that other more fundamental measures should bo j adopted. j- *’ Ihe Court is not concerned with I the merits of this contention. It is a I political question. They are unable to express an opinion with regard to the j economic possibility, and tho effect of 1 increasing the price of coal or reducing costs sufficiently to enable, the present claim to bo met, but from the figures before the Court it appears that under present- conditions the profits in parti* oular coal districts are unable to meet the miners’ claim fully. The owners showed that the aggregate profit for the whole of the coal fields from October. 1921. to December. 1923. amounted to <’37.318.000. It is estimated that had the miners' present claim operated during this period L 102.000.000 in additional wages would have ben paid. | n any case, tho Bankey wage of 2s per shift would alone cost annually as much as the whole profits for 1923.'* The report suggests the resumption of negotiations with a view to the modification of the terms of the 1921 agreement which - appears to offer an immediate and practicable means of effecting the new wages agreement. The opinion is expressed that the prol vis,on for the minimum wag© should have precedence over the distribution ot profits, but the committee cannot specify conditions regarding the basis upon which that minimum should bo fixed.