GOLD MINING

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 36, 11 August 1936, Page 10

GOLD MINING

CASE FOR SHORT

WEEK

HOURS IN AUSTRALIA

The Arbitration Court yesterday continued the hearing of applications by employees of the Martha Goldmining Company (Waihi) and. Golden Dawn Gold Mine, Ltd., for a 40-hour week of five days. Mr. R, G. Milligan, local director and attorney, and Mr. H. W. Hopkins, superintendent, appear 11 for the Martha Company; and Mr. M. H. Wynyard represented the Golden Dawn . Company. Mr. 'J. Roberts appeared for the gold miners' union of Waihi; Mr. J. Read appeared for the Engine Drivers'. Unions ,

Mr. R. G. Milligan made his statement yesterday on behalf of . the Martha Goldmining Company.

Mr. M. H. Wynyard, secretary of the' Golden Dawn Co., Ltd., said that from January, 1932, to the present time the company had produced gold and silver to the value of £166,766, arid out of its total receipts it paid wages to the amount of £98,951, and special gold duty of £19,514.' Its total payment made recently to its - shareholders had amounted to £4000, at the rate of Is 'a share on its 80,000 5s shares, after repaying advance subsidies to the Employment Board and the Mines Department. The reefs being worked in the present ore-producing section of the mine were narrow and hard, encased in very hard country, making the mining very expensive. It was important that the full 44 hours should be worked in the mine. The reduction of hours in the battery to 40 would considerably increSse the overtime payable. The mine supported an average of about 100 men throughout the whole period of depression at award rates of pay. Gn present appearances, he added, cost of the proposed reduced hours would cripple the company unless development opened up other runs of more payable ore at an early date. The mine would not be j able to carry on economically under a 40-hour week. ' "MOST UNHEALTHY OCCUPATION." ■ ■ » Outlining the case for the workers Mr. J. Roberts said that the unions were of the opinion that the 40-hour week should have been applied in this industry many years ago. In Australia, the. largest mine in the country had operated a 35-hour week for a number of years past. He understood that there were several other mines in Australia to which the 40-hour week applied, but up to the present time the 44-hour week had applied to all quartzmining undertakings in New Zealand. No apology, said Mr. Roberts, need be made for the claim for a 35-hour week for men engaged in this industry. It was one of the most unhealthy occupations in the world. The Pensions Act recognised that fact because it contained a provision that it was necessary for a man to have worked only two and a half years in the mine to qualify for a miner's pension. -It would be shown that the industry was one where the 40-hour week could be worked vjith very little added cost. The total yield from the Martha Mine since 1893 is £19,236,154, and over six and a quarter million pounds had been paid in dividends.. Then there were amounts carried to reserves. Last year there was a profit of £111,752 16s 6d. The facts submitted would no doubt be sufficient to satisfy the Court that the company was in a financial position to bear whatever additional cost might be incurred by shorter working time. Mr. Roberts maintained that this was one of the industries to which the Legislature intended that the shorter work-: ing time should apply. Evidence was given by W. Bice, secretary, Ohinemuri Miners' Union; J. Redgwell, fitter, Martha Gold Mining Co.; C. Jennings, blacksmith; R. B. Fisher, carpenter, Martha Gold Mining Co.

Mr. J. Read briefly addressed the Court.

The Court reserved its decision.