GERMAN MINERS FACE FACTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 April 1926, Page 4

GERMAN MINERS FACE FACTS.

PRODUCTION AS PAY BASIS. , BERLIN, Fob. 12. Proposals for tile new adjustment of relations between employed and employers iu t-ho British mining industry are noted here with interest. It is recognised by employers and employed alike in Germany that a standard wage is impossible. “In one district a miner may hew three-quarters of a ton of coal in the time in which it takes to hew a whole ton in another district,” said a representative of the Union of Coal Miners in Germany to me yesterday. ■ “It stands to reason that a mine owner cannot pay as high u wage to the first as can be paid to tbe- second because he will not get higher prices for his coal because it was so difficult to how it.”

The owners are organised in eleven district unions, and questions of wages and hours of work are usually arranged between owners of districts on the one hand and the trade unions on the other, In case of special difficulties both sides mav refer to the central organisation. “We may hear, let us say, from the union officials in Lower Silesia coalfield that they have given the owners notice-to terminate the existing agreement as to wages and hours,” said the reoresentati.ve of the Union ol Coal Miners to file. -‘and our first course is to tell them to carry on the negotiations for the new terms themselves. IT difficulties arise, we get into touch with the Union of Christian Coal Miners. and possibly with the Union of Polish Miners, and a representative is sent to Lower Silesia to advise.”

The practical result of these district agreements is seen in the great difference of wages paid to the miners in the various districts. The average prices per shift are as follows: Left of Lower Rhine, 7 marks 13 pi : Dortmund District, 7 marks 2pl ; Aix-la-Cliapelle, 0 marks 47 pf; Upper Silesia, f, marks 38 pf; Lower Silesia, 4 marks !)() pf.

“A PRACTICAL PIT)PI.t

Thus there is a difference of over 2s in the average wages of the Lower Rhino and Lower Silesia. The hours of work so vary—B hours in the Dortmund district 8J hours in Upper Silesia. 10 in the brown coalfields right of the Elbe, and ') on the left of the Rhine. These variations are not haphazard but are governed bv the lu:-al._conditions, and the miners’ union are prepared to consider the difficulties of obtaining coal from the mine. They are. however. opposed to special arrangements between the owner of a particular mine and tlie men ho employs. Mr Conk harangued a meeting of Communists in Berlin some months ago, and told them that the British miners regarded Germany as the black spot of Europe and a danger to the miners ot other countries. Socialist.-, and Christian Union leaders disregard bis rebuke. “We are a practical people.” said a Christian Union leader to me drily.