THE GREAT ENGLISH COAL STRIKE.

Southern Cross, Volume 1, Issue 35, 25 November 1893, Page 6

THE GREAT ENGLISH COAL STRIKE.

TO the editor. Sir, —I fear your fair correspondent “ Aurora ” (whose raej articles on “ Maoriland to Britain ” have been so very enjoyable) has not got a correct grasp of the real difference between the coal owners and coal miners in the English midland districts. Superficially, a reduction of 25 per cent, in wages looks very sweeping indeed, but from information received by me from the Old Country, a reduction of 25 per cent, from earnings is not sought, but only a reduction of 25 per cent, of the advances which have been made during the last four years or so. In order to put the matter plainly, I give the following facts : —ln 1889, wages in the coal trade at-Horae were subjected to revising, the wages rate of the preceding year (1888) being taken as a basis, This was at a time when the trade began to improve after a long period of depression, during which many colliery owners went to the wall entirely. When I left Home in 1890, I was paying the men employed at the several colleries under my charge—in common with the rest of the colliery districts under the same wages rule—wages based on the 1888 rate, with 33 per cent, added. Shortly afterwards another 5 per cent, was added (as prices continued to impi'ove), making a total advance of 40 per cent, above the standard rate. Since then price s have declined so very much that the colliery owners, who shared their prosperity with their employes, naturally ask them to share their adversity by conceding, not 25 per cent, of their earnings, but 25 out of the 40 per cent, of the advances they have received, which then leaves wages at L 5 per cent, higher than the standard (188 S) rates. Putting the question into £ s. d., let us take a man’s earnings for a given time at, say, £1 10s at the standard rates. Then, £1 10s, plus 40 per cent. = £2 2s ; 25 per cent, off this amount would be 10s 6d, leaving £1 11s (id, whicli is what anyone not knowing the correct state of affairs would naturally infer. But 25 (per cert, reduction sought) from 40 (p er cent, over standard being paid), leaves 15, and £1 10s, with 15 per cent, added, gives £1 14s Gd, which is really the amount payable afler the reduction had taken place, or really a trifle over 15 per cent, actual reduction from gross earnings.—l am, etc , John Haves, Mining Engineer. Invercargill, Nov. 2 1 , 1893. [Late cables state that the conference re the strike has decided that the men should resume work at the old wages until February, and that a conciliation board, comprising 28 delegates from the mine owners and miners, should be appointed forthwith, the board to continue in office for one year 1 and to determine the rate of wages from time to time. The appointment of the chairman of the board and the casting vote, if necessary, virtually rests with the Speaker of the House of Commons. There is great relief throughout the country at this settlement of the difficulty. —Ed. S.C]