AUSTRALIAN COAL TRADE

Evening Star, Issue 19805, 2 March 1928, Page 4

AUSTRALIAN COAL TRADE

SERIOUS CHARGES AGAINST OWNERS MR HOARE'S ALLEGATTONS. SYDNEY, March 1. Mr Hoare, president of the northern branch of the Coal Miners’ Federation, addressing the Coal Conference now sitting to inquire into the question of the coal industry and make suggestions for its improvement, demanded a Royal Commission to inquire into further sweeping charges which ho made against thc coal owners. He charged them with making payments to a secret service fund not shown in the books, with heavy over-charges to foreign coal buyers resulting in loss of export. He also charged them with illegally evading the Federal Act which fixed the price of coal. Various other charges are made, winch lie claimed were factors in bringing about the depressed condition of the coal trade. He said he proposed to show that many of the owners were evading the law and getting rich quick by manipulating the companies’ books, cheques, and bank books.

[Addressing a meeting of the miners of the Stockton Borehole Colliery and pressmen whom he invited to be present, Mr Hoare, the president of the northern branch of the Coal Miners’ Federation, stated that ho received during the past eighteen months amounts totalling £597 as payment for keeping the mine working. Mr Hoaro said the money was paid to. him at the rate of £d per ton on the output by a man whom he mot in the street in Newcastle. The man refused to divulge his name. When Mr Hoare said that he felt guilty in taking the money the man said lie was getting a more “ fleabite ” to what others were getting. Mr Hoaro

said that he had not had to raise a

hand to keep the colliery working, and c that the money would be distributed among the wives and families of the members of tho Stockton Borehole lioclga.]