THE MINERS’ DEMANDS.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 April 1921, Page 5

THE MINERS’ DEMANDS.

CONFERENCE WITH THE OWNERS. QUESTION OF NEW AGREEMENT. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, April 15. The conference between the Mineowners’ Association and the Miners’ Federation, to discuss the latter’s demand for a new agreement, opened today. Mr. A. H. Kembell, Under-Sec-retary for Mines, was elected chairman, and decided to admit the Press to all proceedings. Mr. J. O’Rourke, president ol the Miners’ Federation, put in a strong plea for granting the more important demands, such as the six-hour day bank to bank, the minimum wage, and a fortnight’s holiday on full pay. The miners were entitled to things owing to the nature of their work. Mr. W. Reece, Mine-owners’ Association, said he did not think the miners ran any more risk than people who crossed a city street. He was supprised that the miners had made demands for reduced hours in view of the state of things generally. The demands if granted, simply meant reduced output and increased costs, which the companies could not stand. The granting of the demands would mean the closing of many of the mines. The State Mining Department put in a statement showing the cost of coal f.o.b. Greymouth was 22s 6.42 d.