28 MARCH 1931, Page 2

Mining Hours and Wages The dangerous situation of the mining

industry was caused by the decision of the Delegate Conference of the Miners' Federation on Thursday, March 19th, to veto the working of the spreadover of hours after March 31st. This means that after that date it will be illegal to work more than 7/ hours a day, and employers in districts which have been working on the spreadover system will press for reductions of wages in proportion to the hours worked. The miners will then have to accept the reductions, or connive with the employers to .work illegal hours, or strike. The appeal of the Miners'. Federation to the Government to associate themselves with Mr. Potts's bill to amend the Minimum Wage Act of 1912 and thus protect the miners' wages, is likely to be unsuccessful. .