COLLIERS' DEMANDS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 38, 8 November 1907, Page 5

COLLIERS' DEMANDS.

SERIOUS OUTLOOK.

OVER FIVE HUNDRED MEN IDLE. I .STATEMENT OF WAGES. DT TEIEGRA.rH—ntESS ASSOCIATION— COrTRIGJIT. (Roc. Nov. 7, 9.10 p.m.) Sydney, November 7. In connection with the coalmincrs' demands, tho colliery proprietors havo prepared a statement of tho wages earned nt the principalicollieries of tho Newcastlo and the Maitland districts during the past six months. At twenty-ono pits tho daily wages ranged from 10s. to 16s. averaging about 135.; at one colliery tho wages ranged from 165., to 335. lOd. The increase of fourponco in tho hewing rato, which will operate as soon as tho increased selling price (lis.) takes effect on January 2, will moan an additional fourteen ponce per day. By closing the Burwood and the Lambton pits, over 500 men are rendered idle. The position is that the prop-ietOrs having fixed the selling price at lis. per ton for next year have offered, according to the custom ruling in the district, an advance of 4d. in the hewing rate. The Miners' Federation, acting on, the appeals mado by several lodges, demanded an advance of 8(1. in the. hewing rate, which is equivalent to a selling prico of 12s. They also ask for an eight hours' day from bank to bank, and have demands with regard to minimum height of coal seam, increased payment for small coal, and increased yardage rates (which last-mentioned demand was tho immediate cause of the closing down of the Burwood and Lambton pits).