APATHY WORST SYMPTOM

Chronicle (Levin), 2 August 1946, Page 5

APATHY WORST SYMPTOM

AU STRALIAN MINERS ATTACKED Received Tlmrsday, 7.55 p.m. CAXBERRA, August L " At. Ihe head of the Miners' Eedera tion is a nian wliose oue purposo is revo lution — the o\erturn of the deniocrati svsteni of (Jovernnient for which wi fouglit," said Mr. \Y. XI . Hughes (Liij eral, Xew Soutli Walesj when attackim; the miners and the Coul Bill in the llouse of Representativcs today. Referring to tlie miners' president, Mr. W'ells, M r. llughes declared that all movements and nianoenvres were pre[niratory to the purpose to which he had dedie.ated liis life. Below Mr. Wolls were others wliose opinions shaded down from deep red to pale anaeiuic pink. The apathy of the miners wathe worst symptom, for 75 per cent of theni wci'e against the tactics adopted. With representatives of the colliery proprietors and of the Miners' Federation now in Canberra, both objecting strongly to certain features of the Coai Industry Bill, the Federal Government is in a difticult position. Instead of producmg a eompromise which would lead to improvements in tke '.c6%l--.i-ftdtistry, i-t has. created a |flll wlii'cF •ls'disiik-eds'by botli 'sides: The miners 'will ask 7 that "one of mem bers of the proposed Coal Bhard of three shoilld be a nominee of the federation. This strikes directlv at the prin riple that members of the board should be eompletely unconnected with inter ested parties'in the industry. The min ers also want a new clause to give com pensation and re employment for miners wliose jobs niight disappear with the application of mechanisation to the industry or any othcr action of the board. The miners' spokesman will tell Mr. Chiiiey that the power to deprive the men of the right to work in the industry is thoroughly obnoxious to the federation. A section of the caucus has alreadv attempted unsuccessfully to have the disciplinary clauses deleted from the measure. The owners are eoncerned about the Government :'s decision to withdravv part of the Bill, including the provision of compensation payments to tlie owner of a mine taken under contrpl by the board.