MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

Hokitika Guardian, 14 April 1926, Page 3

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

[Australian & N.Z. Cable Association

MINERS’ EXECUTIVE. LONDON, April 13,

The Miners’ Executive spent lour 'hours drawing up a reply to the Con. Commission’s recommendations tor submission to the coal owners. The reply, which, like, the coal owners, ex--1 amines each recommendation, says no Wiige is acceptable which does not provide a wage sufficient to luruish a decent living standard. Miners entirely disagree with the suggestion that districts settle the minimum percentage and express the opinion that national bodies are fully competent to deal with the wage agreement question on a uniform basis. They do not consider the suggestion of redistributing tho weekly hours over live days a week practical. and disapprove of the suggestion to compensate, the present owners of minerals, except those who purchased them. They express a willingness to consider multiple sliilts and consider that both sides should, as early as possible, formulate a national agreement whereby tho minimum percentage is determined. SHIPBUILDING RETURNS. LONDON, April 13. Lloyd’s ship-building returns for the quarter ended 31st. March, show that 813.000 tons were under construction in Great Britain and Ireland, a decrease of 42.000 tons ns compared with the • quarter ending 31st. Dec. and 322.000 tons as compared with the corresponding quarter last year. Work was suspended on 80,000 tons as compared with 74,000 for the same quarter of 1925.

The present totals are the lowest recorded since September 1909, and 1,047.000 tons below the average tonnage were being built. During tho twelve months before the war 193,000 tons were commenced during the quarter as compared with 160.000 tons during the fourth quarter of 1925, but the tonnage launched in the course of the present quarter was 190,000, which is 25.(XX) below the previous quarter. 11,07,000 tons arc under construction in other countries, «i deereaso of 17,000 tons as compared with (last quarter of 1924. The tonnage of motorships now being built throughout the world is 913,000, which is S 4 2-3 per cent, of the steam tonnage. The tonnage of motor-ships being built in Great Britain and Ireland amounts io 52.7 per cent, of the steam tounagi being constructed. The motor tonnage being constructed in Denmark, Holland, Italy, Japan and Sweden greatly exceeds the steam tonnage.