AUSTRALIAN LETTER

Grey River Argus, 6 September 1948, Page 7

AUSTRALIAN LETTER

(From Agnes L Forman) ADELAIDE. THE COAL QUESTION Once again South Australia, Victoria and N.S.W. have been in the throes of coal and gas rationing. Why? The ordinary citizen is at a loss to understand. We have read the official statement by the Miners’ Federation, Sydney, that the N.S.W. coal miners ’Are producing about 2,000,900 tons more, with fewer men, than before the war. They tell us that last year coal production was just short of the all-time record set during the war —in 1942. Against this we have the official statement of Mr R. W. Dayie, secretary, Northern Colliery Proprietors’ Association, that, due to strikes, losses th'is year amounted to 2,000,000 tons compared with a loss of 1.6 million since 1940, the output of N.S.W. had tons during 1947. He says also that fallen from 3.4 tons to 2.9 tons per man-shift.

Some time ago a Coal Board was set up to reorganise the coal mining industry, and to improve working conditions, which, according to the Miners’ Federation, were far worse than conditions in other industries. The miners claim that nothing has been done in this regard. The coal owners, ably assisted by the Tory Press, have engineered an offensive against the miners. Among the complaints raised by the miners are that long-standing customs have been violated and long-standing claims sidetracked. In a statement issued by the Miners’ Federation, they say:— “As to the current dispute in the Northern District, this has been caused because the tribunal, refuses to increase rates of men doing particularly laborious work of shovelling into trucks, by hand, coal that has been cut by machines. They have to fill 24 tons of coal per day to get a decent wage, because- of the/ low rate, which rate has not been increased since 1920. The main mine concerned is Burwood, owned by the Broken Hill Proprietary, which favours men who fill coal by machines with bonuses, but refuses to increase the miserable rate of 2s 7d per ton paid to men who are called upon to fill by hand. As South Australia is dependent on N.S.W. - for-its coal, all of these stoppages have caused much interruption in this State’s industries. South Australia was instructed by the Joint Coal Board to reduce consumption of N.S.W. coal to 13,000 tons a week. This would mean a cut of 33 per cent, of all previous quotas which ultimately would mean wholesale closing down of industry for between two and three days every week. The South Australian Premier Mr Playford, has told, the Coal Board that, “if it persisted in its instructions the South Australian Government would' have no alternative but to adjust the State’s coal consumption in a manner that would least inconvenience South Australian citizens.” This would quickly have the most serious repercussions in N.S.W. which State was entirely dependent on South Australia for the maintenance of its steel industries. METAL WORKERS' HOURS

One of the most impudent log oi claims ever filed in Australia recently, was that of the Metal Trades Employers’ Federation, a N.S.W organisation. It was filed on 40 Federal unions, seeking a return to the 48-hour week and wage cuts of from 10s to £l. There - has been swift hostility throughout Australia to the log. Coming, as it has, on top of the ever-increasing cost of living, it has brought forth a tirade of opposition from the workers of this FEDERAL BUDGET

Taxation cuts and increases in pensions and child endowment have been decided on by the Federal Cabinet for inclusion in the 1948-49 Budget. Income tax cuts are oh a sliding ranging from 33 per cent, on the lowest taxable incomes to 3 per cent, on the highest incomes; there is a 5s a week increase in pensions, the present old age pension being 37s 6c a week. There is a rise of 2s 6d in child endowment, for which, at present, the weekly payment is 7s W for each child after the first. HOUSING SHORTAGE

The housing shortage continues to be bad. During the past year tne cost of building a home in South Australia has increased by £lO5 a four-roomed, brick house, including land, costs £l3OO, and a five-roomed house varies from £1550 to £1730. Five-roomed timber framed houses in the metropolitan area cost £l3OO. Many pathetic advertisements appear in the daily papers for homes, rooms etc., and the following advertisement tells its own sad story:— "Wanted to rent, a house, flat, cave or some place to rear three children aged 10, 6, and 5 (young Australians). We apologise for having them, but find it illegal to drown them.’ This pathetic advertisement in the “Whyalia News” recently, has not had one reply, according to its author, MrReg Taylor of Kittel Street, Whyalia MILK SCHEME

In 1950 we are to have all milk delivered in bottles, under a scheme similar to that of the Wellington (New Zealand) City Council. At present the feeling is 50-50 for and against it. VAGARIES OF TEMPERATURE ' The weather, like everything else these days, has been extremely contrary. One Monday we had the coldest July day for 13 years and on the Friday of the same week we had the hottest July day for 15 years. While Adelaide averages four fogs each year, we had to break (the record) with 16 fogs, which caused the suspension of aeroplane services. In spite of a severe cold and grey winter, the whole State was crying out for rain at one stage. Firewood in Adelaide has been extremely scarce and has risen from £2 9s 6d to £2 16s a ton. Some wood merchants are 600 to 700 orders behind;' others are only now delivering April’s orders! SHORTAGES

There still is a shortage> in many o-rnpprv lines. Sugar has been, harci to come by ever since the rationing was lifted last year. Owing recent strikes in Queensland, and shippin„ and waterside upsets South Austra lia has been very badly treated as regards sugar supplies. Most.hornhad fruit rotting on tiees because it was impossible last jam n se make procure sugar sufficient to even small quantities me £ ro a "n preserves. Many of us used ro <?uzar for jams, but this is not veiy satisfactory. For months now. we h o a^° n Sr St “but on many occasions ftp S^.0 ?" s ‘ “ ‘s nnjosaMe PUBLIC INTEREST* of With earlier ones, s _ tting homes m Australia broa d ca sts. It “ 3 £& IhinT t?at people Interest

themselves in sport,' but one wonders will the time ever come when a community will take even one-third of the intelligent interests in the politics of the country as they do in sport. If only that could ard would happen, the workers would be in a far happier position than they are, in most countries, to-day. They would more than hold th? key to the situation—they would really open the door to peace - and prosperity. HIGH COURT

The Federal Government’s legislation for nationalisation of banks has been thrown out by the High Court. No one was surprised. This, however is just one more illustration that there must be a complete change in the personnel of the High Court One member of the bench is 85 years of age and another will be 71 this month. The youngest member is 56 years of age. "NEWS” FROM N.Z.

According to a Press Association message from Wellington, New Zealanders are drinking medicine by the million gallons! Every now and then we read sucli messages from New Zealand, which are meant to act detrimentally on the Governments free medicine scheme over here. Ihe Australian doctors are still holding out against the scheme. However, as in New Zealand, the Government will win out eventually.