N.S.W. COAL TROUBLE.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 May 1926, Page 1

N.S.W. COAL TROUBLE.

(Australian & N.Z. Cable Association,]

IN AUSTRALIA. SYDNEY, May 11. Over two thousand miners are idled at Lithgow through the closing of the western collieries. The Southern districts where onepit was working yesterday, report today a complete cessation of work. ;A meeting kA the New ."south Wales coal owners to-day further considered Hon. Mr Baddcloy s proposal that Mr Piddington, K.C.. should be appointed arbitrator at a conference to be called. It is understood that they endorsed their previous day s Uecision that they could not agree to the proposal while the engineers remained on strike. If the eiigiuceis icsumed, the owners were prepared to agree to the appointment of Mr i’iddington or some other independent arbitrator.

It is reported from Tasmania t.hn! the trouble has been overcome by tlie coal owners there, agreeing to pay engineers special rates ol one guinea pel dav and time land a half tor overtime.

STRIKERS’ OFFER. SYDNEY. May I

Replying to lion. Mr Baddoley’s arbitration proposal, the mine engineers state they have been advised that the proposed conference under Mr Picldiugtou, acting in his capacity as Bt. lie Industrial Commissioner, oould not provide for a settlement of an interstate dispute;, and also that any disgruntled owner could appeal from bis decision to a higher court. Tlie workers were therefore reluctantly : impelled to decline the proposal. However, they would gladly avail Uicmselves of Mr Piddiugtou’s service il he could sit in his private capacity us Chairman of a round-table conference or as ian Independent arbitrator, provided that owners would do similarly, and would giye a reasonable guarantee to abide by the decision given. The engineers further offer to submit the case to arbitration under the Industrial Peace Act, with any chairman, excepting the one whose arbitrulment lias brought about tlie present trouble.

SYDNEY, Ray 11. Hon. Mr lSaddeley discussed the position with the engineers’ representatives to-day in tlus light- of the own ers’ decision not to arbitrate unless, the pits resume. After the meeting. Mr Badcleley stated that there had been no material change in the position. Me was still bending all hi> efforts towards a settlement, and he was hopeful of developments 10-mor-row. Reports from other sources are that the men are anxious for a settlement, and arc inclined to favour tlie owners’ ultimatum as a way out of the trouble. It is estimated that the strikers are sacrificing between twenty-five .and thirty thousand sterling daily to wages. SYDNEY, May 11. Mon. Mr Baddelcy (.Minister el Mines) bus handed the press the replies from the Coal Owners and ’he Mine. Engineers’ Association to ms letter suggesting the 'appointment of Mr Piddington, K.C., as Arbitrator. Both parties express appreciation ol the Minister’s efforts to secure a settlement. The owners are non-com-mittal and express a wish that Ins efforts will prove successful. LABOUR PLAN'S. SYDNEY, May <l. Matters in connection with tlie IT hours trouble are quiet at presenti pending developments which point to lan extension of the strike to \ ictoriu. The Labour Council to-day lengthily discussed the position with the visiting representatives of the \ ietonau Trades flail.

Between five and six hundred men were paid off at Garden island. Lie Federal Government’s naval depot, for refusing to work forty-eight hours. All the Fedeml Unions are involved. This is the first instance where ,he Federal authorities are taking part in the dispute.