BRITISH COAL PROBLEM

Hokitika Guardian, 14 November 1929, Page 3

BRITISH COAL PROBLEM

OWNER,\S R ESI ST A NCE

(British Official Wireless.)

- RUGBY, Nov. 12

'j.’lie coal industry negotiations assumed a now phase to-day, when for (die first time, the Prime Minister took part in them. In the morning, the P ( ri lie Minitser and the members of the Cabinet Coal Committee met the representative® of the coal owners. This afternoon they received the members of the .Miners’ Federation E .eeuLive. *■

'llie chief difficulty confronting the Government is a contention by the owners that it would be impossible for the hours to I>e reduced from eight to seven and a half without a, commensurate wages reduction. Another difficulty is created by the insistence of the miners on a national wages reduction. 'l’lve coal owners state that they will, under no circumstances, depart from their present practice of district agreements. The Prime Minister and the Cabinet Coal Committee arc making a stronuos effort to overcome these difficulties. Tt is understood that they have discussed with the coal owners to-dav the question of the setting up of a National Board for the mining industry as an alternative to the National Agreement suggested. The National Board would he comparable with the National Wages Board that is already existing for the railways, and which is working very satisfactory, It would be in the nature of a tribunal to which appeals could be made, in the event of the coal owners proposing a reduction of the wages in any district consequent on the reduction of hours.