RAIL SERVICES CUT

Chronicle (Levin), 5 November 1948, Page 5

RAIL SERVICES CUT

(N.Z.P.A.-

-Reuter,

N.S.W. Coal Strike Called Most Wanton

y Copyright)

Received Thursday, 7.40 p.m. SYDNEY, Nov. 4. The severest rallway cuts yet imposed, Including a reduction of the electric suburban serviees to one train houriy from Sunday, and the eliminatlon of all freight except essential commoditfes from midnight tonight, was announced this aiternoon as the first result of the general coal strike in New South Wales. The Federal Acting Attorney-Geh-eral, Senafor McKenna, announced after a conference with the Coal Board, that a general schedule of drastic rationing would he introduced at the earliest possihle moment. When Senator McKenna and Senatdr Ashley repr'esented the Commonwealth Government in diseussions ; with the Joint Coal Board today, they : were accompanied by officers of the Commoxrwealth Crown Solicitor's Office and Secui'itv Service. Any action contemplated by the Federal or State Government to force an end of the strike, will be klelayed until the cOfnpletion of a compulsory conference of the parties to the disputer called by the Coal Industry Tribunal, Mr. F. Gallagher. The general president of the Miners' Federation, Mr. I. Williams, said to- . day that the miners were anxious to settle the dispute but their previous formula still stood. This formula is . for closing the Kemeira' tunnel pending an industrial agreement between the miners and Australian Iron and Steel Limited or the tunnel contractors.

A conference of twelve Federal unions, some of them regarded as , Communist controlled, has pledged support for ' the miners. These unions eover a membersnip of over 200,000 men in the railway, maritime, building, metal and electrical unions. Essential goods which WilL be carried by rail after midnight tonight are flour for breadmaking, wheat and Jivestock. Qn the banfied list are raeehorses, racing dogs/ homing pigeons and show stock. From 3.30 a.m. on Sunday, suburban -electrie trains will run houriy. -On week da.vs the peak hour serviees will be normal bnt otherwise trains will tun houriy. The normal ofif-peak service is quarter houriy.

Also from Sunday, express and .niail trains will be reduced to three serviees weekly. The Melbourne and Brisbane express serviees will be reduced to one train each way three days weekly. Sleeping cars will be*- withdrawn and seat bookings restrieted. "Of all the strikes that have . plunged Australia into turmoil during the last few years, this is the most wanton, ' ' says the Sydney Morning Herald. "No .question of wages or conditions is even remotely involved. 'The 'miners officials in contempt ' of appeals "by f the Labour leaders and trade unfon movement, have precipitated this disaster solely to asSist the Communist Party in its efforts to smash the Australian Workers' Union. The Communists hate this union hecause oi its moderation, and particularly because it was • this union which largeiy accotinted for the humiliating def eat of the Communists in the Queensland | railway strike, Any Ittempt to appease the miners iii" their flagrant sadrifice of national welfare would be 'the baseSt betrayal, not only of the puhlic, but also of all unionists who abhor the wreeking tactics of the Communists. ' '