NOT A PENNY OFF.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 227, 25 September 1929, Page 7

NOT A PENNY OFF.

MINERS DETERMINED.

Proposed Wages Cut Resolutely

Declined.

NO COMPROMISE,

(Australian and N.Z. Press Association.) (Received 11 a.m.) SYDNEY, this day. The first direct move in the coalfields to refuse to accept the findings of the Royal Commission on coal profits came'from a combined meeting of the Hekpburn No. 1 and No. 2 mines.

The miners stated that under no circumstances were they prepared to accept a reduction in wages or an alteration in conditions. They were confident the miners' leaders would refuse to compromise in any way.

The State Cabinet considered the coal commission's report, after which the Premier, Mr. T. 11. Bavin, sent a letter to Mr. Davies, general secretary of the Miners' Federation, asking- if the combined unions are prepared to accept the Government's proposals providing for a reduction of one shilling a ton in wages, equal to 12$. per cent off contract earnings, and a shilling a day off other labour.

Under these terms the State Government is to reduce the handling charges to the extent of 25 pence a ton and the Federal Government is to pay a bounty of a shilling a ton on coal sent to interState ports.