COSTS MUST FALL

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 936, 1 April 1930, Page 9

COSTS MUST FALL

PRICE FIXING BOARD FOR COAL INDUSTRY COMMISSIONER’S REPORT Reed. 10.5 a.m. SYDNEY, Today. The Royal Commission which inquired into the coal industry last year has furnished its report to the Premier of New South Wales, Mr. T. R. Bavin. The commission recommends that there should be a more ready method of settling disputes than now exists, preferably by means of a board, to consist of three persons equipped with extensive powers and having security of tenure in order to enable them to develop and give effect to a definite policy. The suggestion is that the board be paid for out of a fund from levies on all coal raised. The board, it is recommended, should have powder to fix the selling price of coal, also the miners’ rates of pay and hours. Upon the question of fixation o£ coal prices, the commission pointed out that drastic reform in this direction was imperative owing to the increasing desire by the public to protect their own interests. The high price of coal and the disturbed conditions in this industry were interfering with national efficiency, and it w r as necessary that the Government should assume suitable means of control. ALTERED WAGES The new objective must be not merely to eliminate over-capacity and over-manning, but also to stimulate the market by lowering costs. One step in this direction would be effected by reducing the ratio between the earnings of the more highly paid employees and those paid on daily rates, and by making the wages of all mine workers conform more closely to those of workers of the same degree of skill in other industries. If possible the board should institute schemes of prosperity-sharing and also act as a conciliation or arbitration tribunal. It should have power to appoint committees to hear and determine disputes, impose fines and decide what mines, if any, should be closed. It is also suggested that | the board should be empowered to license employees in the coal industry ; and withdraw licences for any just I cause; and that, should a strike or I lock-out occur, it should declare who iis responsible and what measures should be adopted for the engagement of fresh labour.