STATE COAL.

West Coast Times, 26 June 1912, Page 1

STATE COAL.

disk i\ riucjc im mi next. ■WEUJXOTOX, June 21. A small increase in the ])rice of Slate Coal may lie expected at an early (late. The cost of handling (.ho coal at ports and that of transporting it hy sea have both, been increased since the waterside workers and ,seamen obtained now working agreements Contracts at which State coal was carried at rates obtaining prior to the agreements mentioned being made, tunc now expired, and the Department is faced by the necessity of either obtaining higher prices for coal or selling it at a loss. Drivate coal dealers have all raised the price of real by about 2s per ton, since the new watersiders’ agreement was made, the, increases being attributed to the augmented labour charges. The increased cost of coal is not wholly duo to the payment of higher wages to seamen and wharf labourers. Miners and other workers engaged in the coal trade have also secured higher wages.