COAL STRIKE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 September 1938, Page 5

COAL STRIKE

MANY INDUSTRIES AFFECTED IN AUSTRALIA SHIPS TIED UP IN PORTS POSITION TO BE SURVEYED By Telegraph—Press Association. Copyright. SYDNEY, September 13.

Heads of gas companies, electricity systems, railways and shipping are meeting this week to survey the position arising out of the general coal strike, which has already led to a number of dismissals in a variety of industries dependent on coal. Gas and electricity restrictions are regarded as inevitable within six weeks in New South Wales and Victoria. Curtailment of railways and shipping operations is expected within a month, and several steamers in the coastal trade will be placed out of commission by the end of the week. All coal vessels are already tied up at Sydney and Newcastle.

Notification was received by the miners’ officials here today that the New Zealand mine-workers are standing behind the strikers and will refuse to handle any coal for Australian ports. An interesting position arose today at the opening of the Government inquiry into safety in mines by Royal Commissioner, Mr Justice Davidson. Mr C. F. Mallett, on behalf of the mine-owners, objected to the inquiry beginning, owing to miners having withdrawn from the pits, which act he described as being in contempt of the Government and the community. In the circumstances it was not possible, he argued, to bring forward technical experts or even to inspect mines in safety. Mr Justice Davidson thereupon adjourned the inquiry until tomorrow.

ALL MINERS STOPPING. HOSPITALS TO BE SUPPLIED WITH COAL. (Recd This Day, 10.55 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. The Miners’ Federation has decided that the Rothbury miners should cease work. The Miners’ Northern President, Mr T. Hoare, said the federation would see that hospitals and similar institutions in the various States were supplied with coal. In Queensland reductions have already been made in railway services, in an effort to conserve supplies of coal. '