The Coalminers

Tuapeka Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 6689, 16 August 1919, Page 3

The Coalminers

DECLINE EMPLOYERS' OFFER. THE CONFERENCE ENDED. Wellington, August 12. The, conference ended to-day without making a settlement. On Saturday the coal owners made an offer to the Miners' Federation representatives of 10 per cont increase to the contract workers, who are chiefly miners working on the coal at tlio face, and 15 per cent to the shift wages men, the percentages to be on pre-war rates, and payable as an increased bonus!. To this offer the Federation roplicd yesterday with a set of counterproposals. In these they asked for tlio same wages for all mine workers othor than face men, as they had asked in tire first instance. -Jfor face workers and other workers not specified they asked for an increase of 25 per cent, in rates, the same to be permanent additions to wages, and not payable- by way of bonus. The coal owners replied to-day that they could not increase the first offer. An appeal was made by *he Hon, E. W. Alison'on behalf of the coal owners to the federation to recommend the unions to accept the offer and to remain at work, in view of the vcry'serious position of the country through the lack of coal at present. The federation representatives withdrew to consider the matter, but on their return they informed the owners that they could not recommend the unions to accept. They then left the room, and the conference ended.