MINING PROFITS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 303, 16 September 1920, Page 5

MINING PROFITS

MEN'S CONTENTION REGARDING SURPLUS DISPROVED

ALTERATION OF DEMANDS

POSSIBLE

By Telcgmph-.PreBS Asßociation-Oonyrltfit (Rec. September 15, 9 p.ni.) ' [ London, September 15. ■ Official figures as to the quarter's ruin- : ing profits have perturbed trade union circles and destroyed the minora' contention that there is a disposable surplus of sixty-sis millions. A fundamental r ?,l? tio V n th ? miners ' '• lomand s may result The main reasons for hope are the absence of enthusiasm among coal consumers for the miners' help In 2 ™ i'l? ? , eCI ? s ;° •"' P rices >»' a strike, anil the lack of desire for a strike among the Yorkshire and Midland miners. It is ncteworJiy that u mimbor of 'trade union leaders are substituting for the original demands the suggestion that the Government should pledge itself not to decontrol coal for at least two years,' but it is doubtful whether this means the reimpc'Sition of the machinery operating during tho war or only *a continuance of the pnsent executive control over maximum prices for household coal. -Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn OBJECT OF TiIENED STRIKE ; I MB. SMILLIE'S CHASTENED TONE.' (Rec- September 15, 10.35 p.m.) „,„„ .... London, September 15. Mr. E. Smilhe, in a letter to the newspapers, adopts a chastened tone. Ho asserts, that the object of the threatened strike is not nationalisation of Hit mines but is tho outcomo of the miners' desire" to obtain a wage that will enable them to live in decency. The talk of individuals getting high wages is beside tho mark. The average pay of ccal-gctters is now 21s. 9d. a day .-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. .THE 44iil WEEK TRIBUNAL'S RFJORT~EXPECTED IN • • A FORTNIGHT/ . (Rec. September 15, 0.55 p.m.) : Tf . t , Sydney, September 15. . It is expected that the tribunal iilmurin? into the question of a, «-hoiir week will report within a fortiiight.-Pross Assn. t shearerFstrike END APPARENTIFaPPROACHING. Ti,„ „, *« Sydney, September 15. Ihe end of the shearers' strike is apCoined of .the Graziers' Association, Mlule advising and assisting its members as far as possible to adhere to the 48-hour system, resolved to.permit the members to make tho'best-arrangements thov can for the remainder of the sonZ t J^? 1 "' 0^1 ! of ti,B ! ™ 1 "' 11 ? season, the wool position, and tho Tienvv losses from drought and flood, are given SMS f i r this r tim - °™ a hmmed sheds have shorn or are shearing on tho association's tenns.-PressTsn