COAL MINERS.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16257, 6 July 1918, Page 9

COAL MINERS.

REQUEST FOR INCREASE OF WAGES.

(tTlfiSSf Xfe'SdHiATlOtf raLEGRAM.) " ' WELLINGTON, July 5. The Coalmine Owners' Association, which has been considering the request made by the Miners' Federation for an increase m wages, has" reported the result of its deliberations, to the Minister of Mines. The following resolutions were passed unanimously: "lijat as agreements have been entered into between individual coalmine owners and individual miners' unions, this Association is of opinion that con-i sideration of any qtiestion of varying the terms of any agreement should only mad© between the contracting parlies; therefore, the request for a conierence between the ■ Coalmine Owners' Association and the Millers' ■federation is unnecessary.'' That as the existing industrial agreements made under tiie Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act, have only been recently entered into between the miners' unions aiid the mining companies, and have still a considerable P er i?, d ° f currency; and, as there are no justifiable grounds for #ny further inwages in view of the fact that the earnings of coalmine workers who work the full available time compare more than favourably with those of other classed of workers, the cOalmilie owners cannot see their way to agree to vary the terms of the existing agreements.''

"That this meeting approves of the adoption of a bcnus system, dependent upon full time beintr worked,*' "That, in the opinion of the coalmine owners, the earnings of truckers cnri be considerably increased under.a system of contract trucking, and the coalmine owners are prepared to make suitable arrangements for the introduction of the contract system." . The secretary's, covering letter to the Minister, concludes: ''The Association submits the above suggestions regarding the bonus system and contract trucking m the confident belief that if these systems are given a fair trial, they will result in. a largely increased output of ooal, and in an increase of the earnings of the workers, and would prevent any possible cause for grievance existing in the coalmines of the Dominion, so far as the earning power of the worker is concerned. I am further instructed to respectfully ask that if the Government approves of the above -proposals regarding the operation of the bonus system, and the adoption of trucking by contract, and if it is of opinion that they would have the effects indicated above, strong presentations should be made to the members of the Coalminers' Unions throughout the Dominion, and their patriotism appealed to, with a view of securing tho assistance of the workers to increase the output of coaL If the Government will assist in this way, and the workers will give loyal help, my Association is very earnestly of opinion that it will have the desired results, and should ensure a continuance of -'ndustrial peace in the coal mines of the Dcminion for the period of the war."