CALL FOR LABOUR

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 920, 13 March 1930, Page 11

CALL FOR LABOUR

AUSTRALIAN COAL-MINES TO REOPEN POOR RESPONSt. EXPECTED Lmted PA. — By Telegraph— Copyright Reed. 10.20 a.m. SYDNEY, Today. The decision to reopen the mines was the outcome of a meeting of owners’ representatives on Tuesday following the failure of the parties to reach an agreement at Monday's conference. At 34 associated pits on the Northern field, a call for labour will be made*, although there is little hone that the owners’ offer will meet with any great response. Inquiries on the coalfields last evening indicated that a big majority ot miners were anxious to apply for wort and end what they regard as a hopeless fight, but they would prefer the individual lodges to meet and consider offers. MINERS RESIST TERMS An earlier message said the Northern Associated Colliery Owners’ Association has decided to offer work tomorrow to all former employees on Hie terms of the agreement proposed in November. Under that proposal the wages of all contract workers were to be reduced by 12J per cent, and the wages of day labour employees were to be reduced by sixpence a day. If an insufficient number of men apply for work the proprietors will take steps to call for outside labour. A good deal seems to depend upon what action the engine-drivers will take. The officials of the Miners’ Federation are using every endeavour to prevent a division in their ranks. They are most sanguine that the owners’ appeal will fail. A peculiar position has arisen among the municipal councils on the coalfields. The idle miners ha've paid tio rates since the mines were closed T2 months ago. Now the councils cannot carry on and all their maintenance employees have been dismissed.