COAL TROUBLE.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 April 1921, Page 2

COAL TROUBLE.

CABLE NEWS.

CONFERENCE OF ’ PARTIES. AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. LONDON, April 26. The coal situation as the result of to-day’s ,conference has become most gloomy. _ _ The owners tabled at the Conference some elaborate statistics in to the demands made of them. _*, i' . The figures drew from the miners representatives such remarks as: “Let us get up! Senior Wrangler frotfK Cambridge!” and “We are not going to waste time pursuing discussions along these lines” [Sir R. Horne (Government) declared that during March the coal industry lost £5,259,209, without any profit to the owners, after allowing for depreciation and interest on loans. He said no system of pooling could meet these losses. Before wages rose, the cost of coal was 6/11 per ton, and in March the cost was 27/9 per ton. Sir R. Horne suggested a discussion on the basis of a maximum reduction of wages by* 3/6 per shift, which need not apply to those districts where the good proceeds of the industry rendered any reduction unnecessary. Mr Smith retorted: “The miners don’t intend to have’any reduction of three-and-sixpence.” | Sir R. Horne: “I can’t ask taxpayers to fill a gap. The othei industries are trying to fight a battle against depressed trade without outside help.” Finally Sir R- Horne said that he i would discuss with the owners the possiblity of a national settlement, and later discuss with the miners‘what as- . sistance the Government would be able s to give, and see if it could be given in the form which would not infringe a t national arrangement.