WAGES BEFORE PROFITS.

Shannon News, 13 May 1924, Page 4

WAGES BEFORE PROFITS.

IN BRITISH COAL TRADE.

COMMISSION'S REPORT

LONDON, May 10. The report of the Court o£ Inquiry regarding British coalminers' wages says that the profits of the industry are made quate to meet the increases demanded, but the miners' elaamS

lor the reorganisation of the industry involve a political question with which the Court is not competent to deal. It suggests a resumption of the negotiations Avith a view to arriving at a modification of the mi wages agree-

ment. ~ The report states: "'it is really undisputed that, the asr-'-ement. ot IJ-1 failed to provide adequate wages many of the poorer districts, the iuil issue is far more fundamental. ihc miners assert that they are entitled to secure full living wages ior all. engaged in tihe industry, primarily out of the total profits. If these are inadequate it rests with the mine ownu, by altering the organisation ot tilt mines and the disposal of proGjce £ increase the amount, and it the cu> still insufficient to pay Uhe wage the character of tbe mining nidus,ti>, which is the fauudation ol all o hei in the country reu.res Miut other more fundamental mtab ures should be adopted. "The Court is not concerned with i the merits of the contention. It is a political question. They are unable> £ express an opinion in regard to t t possibility and thp effect ot ag tbe Price of coal ,br reducing the cobtb sufficiently to enable .the pr«*nt claim to bo met, but from the figures before tho Court, it appears that u ider the present, conditions the pio its are unable la meet the miners cU n fully. The owners showed that U c aggregate pro.it for the whole ucoal fields from October 1 921 - *» cembcr 1923 amounted to £3<,i.lU»oU. i is estimated that had the miners present claim operated during this neriod £102,500 000 additional .\va o es woS have' been paid. In any case the Sbnkey wage of two shillings pei shift would alone cost annually aa much as the whole profits tor IJ-a. The report suggests the. resumption of negotiation* wit a view to modification of the terms ot the 1921 agreement which appears to : oilerimmediate and practicable means ot offocting a new wages ugreenienu The opinion is expressed that the provision for a minimum wage should'havc precedence over the distribution ot profits, but the committee cannot specify conditions regarding the basis upon which that minimum should be hxed.