N.S.W. COAL TROUBLE

Hokitika Guardian, 28 November 1929, Page 5

N.S.W. COAL TROUBLE

SETTLEMENT PROSPECTS VANISH

WORKING MINERS ATTITUDE

(Australian Press Association).

(Received this day at 8 a.m.) SYDNEY, November 28

b he prospects of a settlement of the northern coal dispute vanished once aga':n, when it was ascertained to-night-that the Miners’ Council had . rejected the proposal from Canberra conference for a compromise on wage reduction. It appears the northern miners’ delegates were agreeable, but they were outvoted by the southern and western miners’ delegates. All southern and western miners have been fully employed during the currency of the northern strike and although paying heavy levies to the northern strikers, they have enjoyed a boom period, which tiiey will not now readily forego, especially as it would involve a slight wage reduction and possibly diminished employment lor a number of their members.

HOPES OF SETTLE?.! ENT

SHATTERED

(Received this dnv at ]0 a.m.'

SYDNEY, Nov. 28

• Hopes of the coal dispute being settled wore shattered when the Council of the Miners’ Federation decided it would not agree to any reduction in wages. This decision, if adhered to, means the collapse of negotiations with the colliery proprietors, who insist upon a wage reduction as the only basis o an agreement. The officials of the Miners’ Federation and Northern leaders favoured a compronrVo, but they were outvoted by the Western and Southern delegates. The action of the Minors’ Council has the effect of throwing the dispute hack upon the hands of the Federal Government at Canberra.

Over 150 unemployed vainly sought to place the grievances before the Prime Minister. The spokesman asserted .that since Labour assumed office more unemployment existed than under the Bruc-e-Page regime. About 300 will march to the Labour Minister’s office to-day. Since June last 400 officers of the Employees’ Federal Capital Commission were dismissed.