MORE MILLS CLOSE

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 581, 6 February 1929, Page 9

MORE MILLS CLOSE

TIMBER STRIKE MAY EXTEND

UNIONS APPEAL FOR FUNDS

(United P.A.—By Telegraph — Copyright) (Australian atid N.Z. Press Associatio?i ) Reed. 11.6 a.m. MELBOURNE, To-day.

Additional bush mi Ms were forced to close yesterday, by the men refusing to conform to the conditions of the new award. Five thousand men engaged in the industry, and the trades depending upon it, are now idle. are being taken to prepare for the extension of the strike to other industries. The Australian Council of Trades Unions made an appeal for funds to all Federal unions as well as to State organisations, to conduct the strike. Pickets organised by the Timber Workers’ Union were on watch at the timber yards in Sydney yesterday in connection with t’«*3 strike. They had been instructed to remain sober and to avoid clashes with the police. The owners of 12 yards do not belong to the Timber Merchants’ Association and they are observing the terms of the old award. Consequently their employees, are working. The employers have not yet indicated what action they intend to take. It is believed they are considering the situation preparatory to engaging free labour. The merchants in Victoria, with the exception of those who own a few small yards, have resolved to fight the strikers, 4,000 of whom are involved. Pickets to-day prevented carters from taking away timber from one large yard in Melbourne. A conference of the unions affiliated with the Australian Trades Union Council will be held on Thursday, when it is expected that efforts will be made to extend the dispute.

MOMENTOUS ASSEMBLY

COAL-MINERS’ COUNCIL MEETS (Australian and N.Z. Press Association) SYDNEY, Tuesday. The Federal Council of the Coalminers’ Association assembled in Sydney to-day. It is regarded as a momentous assembly in view of the crisis in the industry. The New Zealand delegate for the united mine workers is Mr. E. Lock. The proceedings are likely to last a week. Consideration will mainly be given to the question of the federation's policy in the event of a strike occurring. It has been decided to issue a quantity of literature regarding the owners’ methods, and giving statistics of the cost of production of coal. A further request is to be made for a Commonwealth inquiry into the ramifications of the industry. The coalowners in all parts of New South Wales met again in Sydney today but adjourned till Monday. No statement was issued.