THE COAL MINES

Hokitika Guardian, 8 February 1926, Page 4

THE COAL MINES

.MEETING OF OWNERS. DUNEDIN, Feh. 5. At the anusal meeting of the CoalAline Owners’ Association, Colonel Holgate, the president in his address, stated that on thc whole the year had been a fairly settled period, hut there were indications that this would not continue. Tlie West Coast miners already had demanded five working days and other concessions which would increase the already too high output costs. Few collieries had worked full time during the year, most ot them averaging four days. Afiners could improve the position hv agreeing to a reduction of hands, reducing the daily output hut increasing the working days. This proposition so far Had not been accepted by any union. Returns showed that, despite increased population, greater industrial activity and larger consumption by the Government railways, the demand for New Zealand coal had not increased, while since 1919 twenty-four new coal companies had lieen registered and twenty-nine co-operative parties were producing coal. New Zealand was sufi nvfti’ nrnrl lift.loll.

In conclusion, Colonel Holgnte strongly advised caution in arranging the new agreement with the workers. It was obvious that the miners intended to insist on a reduction of working days, which should not he granted. This reduction would reduce The working days to 242. In general, the reduction of working hours gave more time for idleness and extravagance, and was the rock of destruction upon which New Zealand was drifting. Colonel Hoi gate was re-elected president for a third time, with the following officers: Vice-president, Air A. M’Kolia r (Christchurch); executive. Messrs K- S. Wright (Auckland). T. Shailor Weston (Wellington), AV. Reece (Christchurch), AV. A. Flavell and R. Leo (Dunedin), and R. Crawford (.Southland).