TROOPS MAY BEGIN WORKING OPEN CUTS

Chronicle (Levin), 21 July 1949, Page 7

TROOPS MAY BEGIN WORKING OPEN CUTS

Received Thursday, 10.35 a.m. SYDNEY, July 21. Though close secrecy was maintained at the talks . between the Prime Minister, Mr. Chifley, the Attorney-General, Dr. Evatt, and the New South Wales Premier, Mr; McGirr, it is understood that the State and Federal Governments have decided to begin the production of coal from open cut next week. It is also believed that the Army will supply the. labour Correspondents regard jt as significant- that the Australian 1 Workers' Union, which is a . nonComniunist or'ganisation with u record of numerous clashes with the Miners' Federation, has not been asked to express its attitude towards working open cuts and was not represented at the t&lks, which, however, were attended. by the Minister of the Army, Mr. Chambers.

The vote by the miners aU Cessnock and Kurri to continue the strike until their claims were met and their leaders releaseo from gaol is not regarded as surprising, as the meetings were called by the Combined Unions' Council and organised to produce that result. ' The Sydney Herald's Newcastle correspondent says . it was significant that for the first- time during the strike the union leaders were faced with strong opposition at Cessnock. The moderates estimate that at least 40 per cent. of. the miners present at the Cessnock meeting showed hostility to the strike. The Labour Party organisbrs are jubilant about the. Cessnock meeting, which they say revealed a definite crack in the miners' solid"arity.