COAL OWNERS AND MINERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 August 1919, Page 5

COAL OWNERS AND MINERS.

DEPARTMENTAL FIGURES. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Aug. 0. When the Coal Mining Conference resumed to-day Mr, T. O. Bishop, actiug-nndcr-secretary of mines, gave the Departmental figures showing the actual cost of producing coal at the State mines was £2 5s Od per ton delivered to the consumer in Wellington, Allowing for the decreased output due to the abolition of the contract system the total increased cost per ton for a seven-hour day would be 12s 6d, and for a six-hour day 15s Id. This was based on the assumption that the decrease in output would be 30 per cent. The total increased cost of producing the output if the demauds were conceded would be £153,205. Assuming the miners produced as much coal per hour under the wage as under the contract system the decreased output, compared with last year, due to the-shorter working time, would bo 46,285 tons for the seven-hour day, or 75,213 tons for the six-hour day. Mr.M Pryor, on behalf of the owners, submitted a comparative return prepared by representative mine managers, showing the estimated increased cost which would follow the adoption of the miners demands. The figures were prepared independently of those submitted by the State Coal (Department, but it could be seen that they were almost identical.

■Mr. Flavell, general manager of the Westport-Stockton Coal Company, said that the public were chiefly concerned) in the question of how to get coal. The total output of New Zealand in 1017 was 2,068,419 tons and the number of employees in the mines 3994, of whom 1360 were colliers. The output averaged 6.43 tons. If granted 10 shifts per fortnight they would lose 25 days' work, equal to 0775 tons per day, aggregating 228,150 tons. Granting a seven-hour day meant Stir. 40min. work instead of Chr. 40min., or a reduction in output of over 15 per cent., equal to 310,261 tons. The present, holidays were nine during the year; 22 were now asked' for. If they assumed four fell on Sundays and pay Saturdays, nine extra holidays were asked for, representing 78,957 tons. If they agreed to abolish the tonnage rate system for £1 t day, irrespective of resalts, it would mean a reduction of 020,522 tons. If the demand for the six hours bank-to-bank was granted the coal | mining industry would soon be as dead ' as .Tuiius Caesar. Mr. Alison said the figures presented by the Mines Department confirmed tho owners' estimates of the increased cost and decreased outpnt. Nothing had been adduced to cause the employers to alter their decision, OWNERS' COUNTER-PROPOSALS. Wellington, Last Night. In response tp the request from the Federation the employers submitted counter-proposals: (1) That the figures from both sides be submitted to an independent Government nominee; (2) that after the cost of the Federation demands is definitely decided upon, a conference be held to consider a new agreement in the light of the general labor conditions and increase or reduction in cost of living; (3) that the offer of the Government to tho miners in the State mines to form a board of control will be fully considered by the mine-owners, the resuit of such deliberations to be reported to the next conference; that efforts be made to obtain such legislation as will assist employees in securing homes either l>y loans from the Government or other- ! wise; (5) that the question of super-1 animation be fully entered into.

The Hon. Alison reiterated the owners' decision not to discuss the live principal demands.

Mr. Roberts said the responsibility for producing coal rested on the mineowners. All the miners wanted was sucli conditions in the minpfl as would attract miners and so assure a full supply of coal. ' The conference adjourned until thiß afternoon to enable the 'Federation representative to consider the proposal# made and the figures presented. EARLY RUPTURE NOT ANTICIPATED (From Our Own Correspondent.) Wellington, Last Night. The outcome of the conference cannot be predicted confidently, but an early rupture is not now anticipated. It is obvious that owing to the refusal oi the owners to discuss the chief demands of the miners a deadlock exists. A rupture might have occurred if the proceedings lmd been conducted in camera. But with reporters present each side feels the necessity of putting, its case plainly and of justifying each move in the controversy. The adoption of Sir George Clifford's suggestion would involve an adjournment of a month or bo, and one of the questions that may bo asked by the. coal-owners is whether or not such an adjournment would be accompanied by a decrease in production at the dine*.