Another Upheaval

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 586, 12 February 1929, Page 9

Another Upheaval

Miners and Timber-Workers

Apprehension in Australia

(United P.A.—By Telegraph — Copyright) Received 11 a.m. SYDNEY, To-day. IT is generally expected that a fortnight's notice will be served on the northern miners this week. The position is described by union officials as darker than in 1917. It has been precipitated by the simultaneous extension of the timber workers’ strike and the threatened closing of the northern coal mines.

THE Miners’ Council is sending: a deputation to the Prime Minister, asking for a Royal Commission to inquire into the industry. It is now feared that common cause will be made of the two disputes, resulting in an unprecedented industrial upheaval. The Federal Attorney-General and Minister of Industry, the Hon. J. G. Latham, has again communicated with the Australian Council of Trades Unions asking whether it intends to reply to his appeal for an observance of the timber workers’ award.

Mr. Latham has indicated that if no reply is received by him forthwith he will be compelled to take legal action against the Timber Workers* Union for disobedience of Mr. Justice Lukin’s award. A lorry containing a ton of coal was en route to a timber yard in Adelaide, when it was overturned by 100 men. The latter were dispersed by the police. At Melbourne 70 carters, who were employed at a city timber yard, were dismissed on account of the strike.