N.S.W. MINING CRISIS

Hokitika Guardian, 24 January 1929, Page 6

N.S.W. MINING CRISIS

(Australian Press Association)

SYDNEY. January 24

Mr C. MacDonald (Chairman of the Collieries Association) stated to-night that the owners would declare their policy in a few days time, which is regarded as ominous.' Inter-State shipping would first feel the effects of a strike, hut the railway and powerhouses. have good reserves of coal.

IN NEW SOUTH WALES,

SYDNEY, Jan. 23

Commenting on the coal miners’ rejection of the New South Wales Government's proposal for a stabilisation of the coal industry (by reducing wages Is per ton), the Premier. . Bavin, described the miners’ action as tragic. Mr Bavin added that he would not relax in his efforts to find a solution of the problem, despite yesterday’s abortiee conference He said that it was made plain to the miners’ representatives that an immediate decrease in me price of coal meant an immediate increase in Use volume of employment generally.

Mr Bavin complained of tlie attitude of tlie Labour Party leaders, who, he said, were attacking his scheme as if it were an insidious attempt to reduce wages which attitude had very materially helped to create the feeling, resulting in tlie rejection of the Govern: • r<i Vosals. 1). ill sick . I we to-day been taking m i ;•: of tly .situation. Tim Nortivyi Colliery Owners’ Asso'ciar-' i- is naming. The only comment that it... .MMvtary would make was • ; ‘There will have to be some readjustment in the coal industry.” The “Railway Department, the Gasworks and other large industrial concerns have recently been increasing their- reserve supplies of coal, they • making no secret of the fact that they fear a disastrous upheaval if the coal mine owners attempt any drastic measures to keep the mines going.

OWNERS CALCULATED ON SHORT OPPOSITION. NEWCASTLE, Jan. 23. If the coal miners were to cease work tlie strike would be a short-lived one, owing to the miners’ shortage of finances. Tlie men assert that, if allowed a secret ballot, they would accept a m< derate reduction of wages. Some of the Unionists anticipate that the Commonwealth Prime-Minister will now take a hand. A message from Cessnock states that 60 per cent, of the miners there are now on wages, while the remainder are on contract rates. Most of the former men earn less than the weekly basic wage. Tlie miners contend that the mining stock has been watered, and that the industry should not be required to earn profits on capital which is non-existent.