The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, JULY 15th., 1926.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 July 1926, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, JULY 15th., 1926.

COAL MINERS’ DISPUTE. The great conflict between miners and owners still drags on. It is over two months since tho first round of the general strike ended and it was hoped the way was paved to a universal industrial peace. The good will which manifested itself in the desire to attain the goal has failed to accomplish its task, in the meantime legislation was passed in the hope of giving the miners ail opening to settle the matter for themselves. Hut the miners are resolutely led, and industrial warfare continues still. At the termination of the general strike it was hoped that there would he an early settlement of the dispute in the coal mining industry, lint unfortunately the proposals put forward by the Prime Minister on the lines of the Coal Commission’s Report have not been accepted by either the Mining Association or the Miners’ Federation. It will he remembered that, as a means of improving the organization of the industry and of increasing its efficiency, the Government undertook to introduce and pass this Session measures for facilitating the amalgamation of undertakings, for providing a. welfare levy on royalty owners, and for furthering the establishment of pit head baths. Restriction of the recruitment of adult labour in mines was also included in the proposals together with the institution of a National "Wages Board, with an independent chairman, on the lines of the Railway "Wages Board. The measures contemplated included the setting up of a National Fuel and Power Council, containing representatives of Labour, and among other features the appointment of a committee to investigate tlie question of selling syndicates and of another committee to examine the profit-sharing proposals of the Royal Commission and family allowances. It was further proposed to set up a committee on housing in colliery districts and to prepare a scheme for the establishment of pit committees and for the assistance of men displaced,from pits. Mr Baldwin also laid it down that before any legislation is introduced, a full statement of the steps proposed should he placed before the Coal Advisory Committee of the Secretary of Mines. Additional financial assistance to the extent of £3,000.000 was offered hv the Government to the industry to be used primarily in aid of wages during the period that the National "Wages Agreement is being framed to govern the principles on which the general wage rates shall be ascertained in each district and deciding the minimum percentage on basis

that shall he paid. Although the proposals made it clear that ponding the decision of the Wages Board the miners should accept a. reduction in mini--111 tun wages, subsistence rates were not to he reduced in any district where at present they are -15 s a week or less. Any balance of the £3,000.000 remaining after assisting wages was to he available for a “tapering” subsidy, following the period referred to above, or for such other purposes as might he agreed noon. The Prime Minister’s proposals were, however, rejected by both sides. In short, the miners refuse to consider any reduction of wages and anv increase of hours, and object to the proposed National Wages Board whereon a neutral chairman would have a casting vote. The coalowners assert that the'only way out of the difficulty is a return to the eight hours day, plus a reduction of wages “which would not exceed about 10 per cent, when wages are at the minimum in the worst placed district,” and they demand “freedom from political interference as is enjoyed by other industries.” The Prime Minister has expressed profound disagreement with the owners’ allegation of “political interference.” and has intimated to the minors that the- Government is no longer hound by the offer which has been rejected, and that the offer of a further subsidy cannot remain open beyond the end of this month. Under these circumstances the prospects of an early settlement of the dispute, with its exceedingly serious effects upon industry and trade, are not at all hopefid. The Government has since attempted the settlement by remedial legislation on the lines indicated; hut the leaders of the coal miners still have the basic objection to any out in - wages or shortening of hours. That is the dividing point, and it is proving an extreme difficulty. Time alone is going to solve the problem by some acute development perhaps which may not mean a lasting settlement, which would he regrettable.