THE COAL CRISIS

Hokitika Guardian, 15 April 1926, Page 2

THE COAL CRISIS

[Australian & N.Z. Cable Association

KIIITISU illNEliS. I.OMIOX, April 1-1

The best-informed people do not regard the coal deadlock as final. They are of the opinion that the question of national versus district agreements will be ultimately overcome, while, as regards the reduction of wages, both sides are hampered through not knowing the extent of the Government's promised assistance after the subsidy ends. ' It is hinted that this assistance might be given in a form enabling the wage lo he reduced, where necessary in a gradual maimer, over a period of months, instead of immediately. At unv rate, tbe general belicl is that the next move rests with Mr Baldwin. Though nobody expected that the coal owners’ and tlie miners’ standpoints would be easily reconciled, there wns a deadlock at this early stage of the negotiations. It has come as »: .surprise. It appears, from a statement that has been issued by the owners thaf the breakdown lias mainly been due to a divergency in the respective methods of iixing a minimum wage. The -miners pressed on tlie owners table of figures, which they proposed should constitute the minimum in the various wage. The owners insisted that this was a matter, in the first place, for district consideration. It is believed that Mr Baldwin, who is following negotiations clasely, will intervene quickly.