HOLIDAYS GIVEN UP

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 84, Issue 68, 21 March 1940, Page 5

HOLIDAYS GIVEN UP

GESTURE BY COAL-MINERS IN BRITAIN TO INCREASE PROOtCTION [ ? Official VVjr«lew ) RUGBY, March 19. A meeting of 10,000 coal-miners employed in the Bolsover colliery, Nottinghamshire, unanimously agreed to forego a large part of their holidays to increase the British production of coal. The men agreed to reduce their Easter holidays by half, to lorego part of the summer holidays of one week, and to work on alternate Saturdays. In return the colliery company guarantees no lowering of the basic wage rates during the war, and that the men will receive the same amount from their summer holiday savings fund as if they had taken a full holiday. Workers’ Compensation The Government will introduce after Easter the Workmen's Compensation Bill in which the principle ol family allowance will be admitted The Bill will provide for a weekly supplement of 5s for a wife when the husband is totally disabled, and 3s foi each child under 15 years. The scales are reduced "in proportion to the incapacity. The minimum pensions foi the parents of unmarried men kiilec in. the war will be increased to 5* from 2s, and the present maximum pensions of 10s for one parent, and 12s 6d for two, will be increased by 5s in exceptional circumstances. The claimants’ capacity for self-support will not be taken into consideration From Thursday the Minister ol Food will assume control of all food imports. This will affect all such imports not already under licence and will enable the Ministry to give priority to essential food supplies. The measure will apply to all goods dispatched after to-morrow or arriving after March 27.