COAL STRIKE

Hokitika Guardian, 24 December 1929, Page 5

COAL STRIKE

PROGRESS OF NEGOTIATIONS. SO FAR UNSUCCESSFUL. (Australian Press Association). SYDNEY, Dee. 23. An inside story of the conference cabled, reveals that the parties were on the verge of settling the dispute when the miners delegates, themselves .anxious for some form of compromise declined resolutely to make such a suggestion to the miners on the coalfields. They reluctantly toid the Federal Cabineters that they must beard the lion in the den, for they were not prepared to do so. They already had their lesson. Thus nothing practical came out of the conference, but prominent colleagues including the Federal Attorney-General. Brennan, are resuming conversations with the miners delegates on Monday. Among the suggestions made at the conference was one that the Federal Government should commandeer the mines, and pay the miners 4s per ton subsidy on fill coal hewn, in addition to sustenance, and if necessary use the Crimes Act and military forces.

Mr Scullin replying said the proposal was unconstitutional and impracticable nor was the Senate likely to agree. He gave his hearers to understands that he would not call upon soldiers cither to defend or attack in an industrial dispute. Mr Lang (Leader of the State Opposition) who was responsible for a suggestion that the mines should be understand that bo would not call first and legislate afterwards.

Near the end of the conference, both the Premier and Air McDonald (Chairman of Northern Collieries Association) -were sent for, and in a conciliatory spirit they did their best to find a basis for settling the dispute, which is agitating the whole of Australia in an alarming manner.

JUDGE BEEBY’S ORDER. SYDNEY, Dec. 23. Sir Adrian Knox, the Chief Justice of the High Court, to-day declined to make an order determining the validity of Judge Beeby’s award, but regarding the reopening of the mines, lie referred it to the Full Bench for determination on January 6th. COAL OWNERS’ MOVE. SYDNEY, Dec. 23. Preliminary applications on behalf of the Caledonian Collieries Ltd., and others, challenging Judge 'Beeby’s Award, were to-day adjourned by the Chief Justice, till Friday, when evidence will be taken. The Chief Justice, iSir A. Knox said that he would, sit throughout the holidays, if necessary, to have the matter ready for the Full Bench of the High Court at Melbourne on January 6th. EOTHBURY BOYCOTTED. ' SYDNEY, Dec. 23. All is quiet to-day on all of the coal fields. The police camp at Rothburv has been declared black by the miners. It is being subjected to the economic siege. The storekeepers at Branxton, Cessnock, and Kurri Karri are being warned that thev must not sell anything to the police. LOCKED-OUT MINERS. ON OLD TERMS. SYDNEY, Dec. 23. The miners on the northern coalfields this morning attended various mine properties, where they offered for work on the prestoppage conditions. The offers of the miners were acknowledged, but no men were engaged. SCULLIN’S STRUGGLE. SYDNEY, Dec. 23. Mr J. H. Scullin, Commonwealth Prime Minister to-day renewed the offer of the Federal Government to pay the coal miners one shilling per ton and to share the price of the induction. The problem arises who is to pay it and who is to receive it. The coal owners wore consulted, but no decision was reached. It is considered improbable that the offer will be accepted. SYDNEY, Dec. 24. Premier Bain informed the Prime Minister (Mr Scullin) that the State Government is prepared to discontinue operations at Rothburv in the event of an agreement being reached, which promised to he satisfactory and permanent. The Federal Government is making fTOOO available immediately for relict to neeessitious cases on the coalfields.