THE COAL TROUBLE.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 August 1918, Page 3

THE COAL TROUBLE.

MINERS FEDERATION REPLY.

(I*KR PRESS ASSOCIATION. COPYRIGHT.]

WELLINGTON, This Day. The Miners’ Federation to-day issued a reply to the Aline Owners in connection with the former’s demand for a twenty per cent increase in wages. lv ;s contended by the Federation that the owners’ statement of the case was weak and feeble. The following are the chief points made: The coal owners calculation of wages agree with that of the Miners’ Federation of the average veaily working time of a miner as put forward by the Federation has not been proved wrong, but on the contrary has been confirmed. The estimate of the yearly income of miners as put forward by the Minors’ Federation has not been affected, on the contrary if anything it has been reduced. The yearly outlay as estimated by the Federation is not to bo denied, the denied output has increased Binc& the war very substantially as proved by the statements made by Hon. Myers and Hon McDonald.

The statement adds that in view of this wo feel sure that all reasonable people will agree that there has been no sound reason advanced by the Coal Owners why there should not be a conference. We are still in favour of a conference taking place, and we believe that such would be in the best interests of both parties concerned, and the country generally.