N.S.W. MINING CRISIS

Hokitika Guardian, 23 January 1929, Page 6

N.S.W. MINING CRISIS

WAGE CUTTING PLANNED

(Australian Press Association)

SYDNEY. January 22

Efforts to rehabilitate the coal industry began to-day, when the New South Wales Premier, Air Bavin, met in conference the representatives ol the Miners’ Federation.

'file proceedings were secret, but it is understood that tbe Premier propounded bis proposal for tbe reduction oif wages by one shilling per ton, and a reduction in tbe selling price of coal bv four shillings per ton.

The view is expressed in union circles that the miners will not agree to such wages reduction, but it is expected that the coal owners, sooner or later, will take the initiative, as they did in England, towards wage reduction. in order to bring matters to a climax. _. The miners are already receiving financial assistance from the Government, pending the outcome of the present negotiations to stabilise the industry. NO RESULTS. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) SYDNEY, Jan. 23. After three hours’ discussion the miners’ llopresentafives rejected the Premier’s proposal which they claimed meant l2i per cent reduction in contract rates and a shilling per ton wage rate. As an alternative, the miners’ representatives proposed there should be a complete inquiry into the ramifications of the coal industry which tliey contended would win its own way in rehabilation of the industry. Ah- Bavin replied that there was no hope of such an inquiry unless the miners accepted the reduced rates of

pay. , . .. The conference broke up leaving the position as you were.