BRITISH LABOUR CRISIS.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 June 1921, Page 2

BRITISH LABOUR CRISIS.

8Y TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSN., COPYRIGHT. MINERS BALLOT. LONDON, June 11. The miners’ ballot is to take place here next week. The ballot paper specifically asks whether the men are prepared to drop the pool demand. It is understood that the coal owners have assured the men of wages equal to those of 1914 as a basis for one year. The ballot paper' of the miners states that the first reduction of wages is not to exceed two shillings per shift for all workers of sixteen years and upwards, and one shilling a shift 'for workers under sixteen, and any further reduction cannot be made until the Ist of August. It adds that further reductions to be made in August are to be agreed upon mutually until the Government grant is exhausted. This temporary agreement will end as soon as the Government’s ten million grant is exhausted.

WHAT OWNERS WANT. LONDON, June 11 As regards a permanent settlement - scheme, the coal owners propose a National Board to fix principles for guid- ■ ante of district boards comprising -an equal number of mine-owners and miners, witli an independent chairman. llie parties have already agreed upon the principle that the profits shall only be a fixed percentage of the wages paid. The Board will fix this percentage of profits to wages, and the amount of a new standard wage. The owners have offered to accept as a standard the wages paid in July, 1914, plus district additions; and also a percentage to piece-workers caused by the reduction of hours from eight to seven, and a minimum of 20 per cent, added thereto, this minimum to continue until June, 1922. The owners that wages under a permanent scheme are to be based on the oapacity of each district to pay. If the day workers do not then receive a subsistence wage, the District Board will fix the wage. The decisions of this National Board should be binding on both parties for one year after they are made, but to the subject to three months’ notice, %