WAGES AND PRICES.
[To THE EDITOR OP THE "Emmen."] SIR,—I enclose a copy of the leading article in the Man- chester Guardian of Tuesday, February 20th, 1912, containing two statements so obviously untrue that there can be no possible excuse for making them. First : "Prices are high, trade is good, but wages have not risen in proportion." Every one in tench with the mining industry of the Federated Area knows that after the strike of 1893 a Conciliation Board was formed, wages being regulated since then according to the prices ruling in the Federated Area on the basis of 1888. When the Eight Hours Act was passed in 1909 wages were 60 per cent. above that basis, and 5 per cent. should have been taken off; but the miners' leaders said the men would not stand it, so it was agreed to waive the reduc- tion on the understanding that no advance should be made until an advance was justified. As to the second statement, "minors' wages have not advanced, we believe, proportionately to the cost of living," it is obvious that the cost of living hits not risen 50 per cent. since 1888. Now when the Manchester Guardian tells the men that "economic forces are on their side," and bases that assertion on such mis- statements as those, it is doing great injury, not only to the public, but to the miners themselves, who are naturally much influenced by such a powerful advocacy of their cause.—I am, Sir, &c., "A COLLIERY PROPRIETOR OF THE FEDERATED AREA."
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