COAL INDUSTRY

Hokitika Guardian, 15 November 1929, Page 5

COAL INDUSTRY

DIFFICULTIES AHEAD.

(British Official!" Wireless) .•

RUGBY", November 12.

The negotiations for -the ■ stabilising of the coalindustry entered a new phase to-day, when, foi the first'time, the Prime Minister took part in them. In the morning 1 he and members of the Cabinet Coal Committee met, representatives of the coal-owners. This afternoon they received members of the miners’ executive, y * ;

; The chief difficulty confronting the Government is the contention of the owners that it would be ‘impossible for the hours of work to be reduced front eight to seven and a half without a ■ commensurate reductioi/in wages. Another difficulty is created'j>y the insistence of the miners onyja national wages agreement, life owfiers state that they will in no circumstances depart from the present practice of district agreements. ' ■ The Prime Minister and the Cabinet Coal Committee are making , a strenuous effort to overcome these difficulties. It is understood that/they discussed with, coal-owners .fjp-day the question of setting up a national boarc 1 for the mining industry as an alternative to a' national agreement. The sug : gested national board would be comparable with the National Wages Board already existing for the railways* which is working very satisfactorily. It would be in the nature of a tribunal to which appeals could be made in the event ol owners proposing a reduction of waget in any district consequent qn a reduction of hours.