BRITISH MINERS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17352, 17 May 1924, Page 12

BRITISH MINERS.

V/AGES AGREEMENT. By Teierraph—Pres* Association —’Copyright Reuter’s Telegrams. LONDON, May 15. A conference of representatives of the coal owners and the miners, in accordance with the recommendation of the recent Court of Inquiry, resulted ia on agreement to-day on tho subject ol wages, on terms to be sumbittoi to the men’s delegate cotnference on May 29. VIEWS, PRO AND CON. NOTICES OF DISMISSAL. Au_tralian and JT.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, May 15. Mr Cook, secretary of the Miners* Federation, says the executive is not satisfied that the proposals meet the lull requirements of the men. Although it is recommending a settlement, the executive still believes that the only final settlement is voluntary unification of the industry with pooling of the proceeds, or national isation. “The new agreement will mean several million pounds in wages extra yearly to the miners, but we will have difficulty in persuading the men to aoree, as thev arc convinced that they aro entitled to a living wage basted on 1914. ” Mr Findlay Gibson, representing tho South "Wales owners, says the new minimum will add from Is 3d to Is 8d per ton to the cost of production, though the profit during the period of the last agreement in South Wales averaged only Is Id. This would ho serious as South Wales was entirely '({?fjhnclent on the export trade and came into competition with American and European coal. Probably many collieries would be, unable to carry on. Notices have already been given to 3000 men and probably another 3000 will be dismissed next week.