TRANSVAAL STRIKE.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 January 1922, Page 5

TRANSVAAL STRIKE.

GREAT STRUGGLE BEGUN,

COAL MINERS OUT.

By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyrigtt.

Capetown, Dec. 30. The labor situation in the Transvaal has recently engaged much attention i i view of the high working costs and the diminishing value of gold. The mines are therefore seeking to reorganise the labor forces by a greater utilisation of native or colored labor, especially in semi-skilled occupations, to which the Laborites and trade unions are consistently opposed. The white miners of the Weabank collieries, on which the Rand industry is largely dependent, voted against the acceptance of a reduction in wages from January 1, which would place them on the same level as the gold miners. There will be a further conference on January 4 between the Chamber of Mines and the miners’ unions regarding the former's demand for readjustment on the above-mentioned lines. This hall probably be abortive, and it seeing Almost certain that, after the conference, probably at the end of next week, the issue will be joined in a great struggle involving the whole of the labor situation. There is no indication so far of either side yielding once the struggle begins, and there is every sign that it will be a fight to a finish. The Government is already active, and it is ex* pected the Cabinet will be summoned to meet at Pretoria in the middle of next week.

The conference of the executives of the in workers and engineers’ associations at Johannesburg confirmed the coal miners’ decision of a strike on Monday, and also determined to take an immediate ballot on the ultimatum of the Chamber of Mines and Power Company regarding changes in working conditions affecting the color bar and other matters.

The coal strike at the Wit-bank pits is in full operation and all work except essential services has ceased. The conditions are peaceful.