N.S.W. COAL TROUBLE

Hokitika Guardian, 5 February 1930, Page 5

N.S.W. COAL TROUBLE

ENGINE MEN RESUMING

(Australian Press Association)

SYDNEY, Feb. 4. The coal position is now slightly

better

•Mr T. J. Atkins, General Secretary of the Federated Engine Drivers’ Association, to-day instructed his members to resume work at all of the Northern Collieries.

He expecs that work will re-eom-nieiice immediately at what are known at the non-Associated pits, which were working before Xmas and attempts will he made to restart Associated pits which have been subject to the prolonged dispute. Mr Atkins also says that his men will have to run the risk of being picketed. He has received an assurance that the police will afford them every protection. HOPE OF A SETTLEMENT. /Received this day at 8.30. a.m.) SYDNEY, February 5. Hope has emerged once again from the silence, which enveloped the latest coal settlement negotiations. All parties, Federal State Ministers, and employers, and miners representatives maintain a secrecy over some of the most delicate adjustments yet attempted. It is believed the basis of agreement will provide for the Federal Government carrying disputed propositions of production cost reduction until the Arbitrations Court arrives at a final award Messrs Seullin and Theodore went to Canberra last night and return to Sydney at the week-end. Lne olf the big stumbling blocks is' r.othbury but it is rumoured the State Cabinet will do everything to forward a settlement conditionally on sufficient assurances of sincerity being given.

it is reported in Cessiiock that John Brown, owner of Polaw Main and Richmond Alain collieries visited the fields during the week-end and declare if the militants could be subdued tlie trouble would be over in a iortnight. Branxton members of the Miners’ Federation, have been cut off the dole owing to refusal to lift the black ban. It is now stated the Government is considering the withdrawal of all doles being paid to out-of-work miners on the northern field.

Cabinet intends, in view of financial stringency, that it cannot afford to keep meu, for whom work is available.

Before an actual withdrawal is ordered an effort will be made to persuade the men to accept work offering. The present figures are 1650 miners are receiving the dole weekly, the cost of which is £I3OO. There are also three thousand families on the coalfields drawing an endowment at the average of £3B yearly per family.