COALMINERS' DEMANDS

Waikato Times, Volume 94, Issue 14601, 26 February 1921, Page 5

COALMINERS' DEMANDS

REPLY OF THE OWNERS REVOLUTIONARY AND FAR-FETOHED USELESS TO DISCUSS THEM. By Telegraph—Press Association. WELLINGTON, Saturday. The demands for a new ugreement made by the Miners' Federation have been considered by the executive of (If Mine owners' Association. The latter, i,] their reply, draw particular attention I i the inclusion of the following point<: (1) Abolition of the contract, system; (2) six-hour day, bank to bank; (3) a five days week; (4) abolition of afternoon shift; (5) payment for holidays; (6) payment for time lost (minimum weekly wage). It is pointed out that these claims were considered at a conference held in August, 1919, and in February, 1920. The employers then took up the position that they were s<. revolutionary and far-fetched and wouel result if granted in such a great increase in the price of coal to th' 1 general public, that, unless they wero withdrawn by the Federation, the ern plovers would not. proceed to the con ference. The demands were finals withdrawn, and the conference proceeded. Since February of last year nothing lias happened to warrant the proposals being again brought forward; indeed, the contrary was the case. Similar demands were not conceded by the Australian coal mine owners. Again, the Broken Hill strike arose' over the insistence of similar demands which were adversely reported up n by a special Government tribunal. In face of these fads, the executive deeded that until the particular demand? are withdrawn, if would be both unfaic to the general public and useless to enter into any discussion with tb : Federation. It' the demands are withdrawn, the executive will be pleased to arrange a conference at the earliest possible date. The holding of such a conference would not necessarily i"e.-,n that lb,' owners are prepared to enter into a new notional agreement, allie owners consider the results of the working of the national agreement unSatisfactory, and that local and rlistri.d agreements are the only solution in view of the varied conditions obtaining i.-i the New Zealand mines.