ABOLITION OF AFTERNOON SHIFT.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14986, 5 June 1914, Page 7

ABOLITION OF AFTERNOON SHIFT.

DEPUTATION TO MINISTER. (Received Juno sth, 12.30 a.m.) SYDNEY. Juno 4. A deputation, representative of tho various coal-mining districts, submitted to tho Hon. J. H. Cann, Minister of Mines, numerous proposed amendments to the Mining Aot, including tho limiting of tho hours of underground workers to eight hours from bank to bank, and tho abolition of all nig"t work, excepting emergency developmental labour. These proposals involve tho abolition of tho afternoon 6hiffc. Mr Watson, president of tho .Northern Miners' Association, claimed that if the individuals who held the raonopolv of tho trade wero allowed to work only one shift, it would tend to .the development of the industry.

Mr Cann replied that ho intended to try to givo effect to tno oight-hour principle, but ho was not prepared to agreo to abolishing the afternoon tiuTTt. It denonded on whethnr tho miners ■woro strong enough to insist on i t-s abolition, but ho thought they would have to climb down.

Mr Watson: They may, but there will bo a struggle.

Mr Cann promised to give sympathetic consideration to most of ttte othor suggestions.