REOPENING OF MINES.

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 17979, 26 March 1930, Page 5

REOPENING OF MINES.

MANY SIGNS OF RELIEF

WHISTLES AGAIN SOUNDED. PREPARATIONS FOR RESUMPTION. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel.-—-Copyright. SYDNEY, March 25. The Miners’ Conference last evening discussed I lie question of a general resumption on (lie northern fields, it was in favour of the men returning io work, hut wanted Ihe Federal Government lo intervene in some way and so save Ihe miners’ faces. The proposal that, the Government should he asked to grant a subsidy of !)d a ion was rejected. On the coalfields to-day many signs of relief were shown when Hie nows was received that Ihe end of Hie. longperiod of idleness was measurably near. However, (lie fact is not overlooked that the men have been beaten.

Everyone is sick of ihe prolonged inactivity. Evcp the sound of bagpipes at ilic head of the short-lived Workers’ Army had palled, and the anger which had been engendered by the baton charges of the police had died away. There was left only hopelessness, from which almost any form of settlement is a welcome relief. The whistles have blown again at the Aberdaro Extended Mine. This seemed lo stir up new life. At Cessnock preparations are being pushed on for a resumption of work. The owners’ policy is not expected lo lie altered by whatever the Government or tli c Miners’ Federation may do.

A message from Canberra says Hie Prime Minister, Mr J. II- Sciillin, today explained that the Federal Government's offer of a subsidy of Oil a ton was intended to apply until the Arbitration Court hearing was concluded. It was expected that finality would have been reached in February. Therefore the offer of that subsidy did not exist to-day.

AN OBDURATE CONFERENCE

NO REDUCTION IN PAY. TWO ALTERNATIVES. Uni led Press Assn. —Elec. Tel. —Copyright. SYDNEY, March 25. At the Miners’ Convention to-day il was decided not lo accept any reduction ill pay or increase in hours, and iii.il work shall not he resumed at the associated collieries until all summonses against members have bCttfjj withdrawn and all terms of imprisonment suspended. IL is understood that a proposal was submitted that Hie men he advised to lo go hack io work under the terms of the compromise proposed in November. but Dial Ilic majority of Hie delegates rc.jccleil ilic suggestion. To-day's decision apparently makes a resumption of work as far oil' as ever.

II is learned from an auiliorilaiivc source lltal Ihe convention will call aggregate meetings on the norliier.i coalfields nexl week, at which the men will lie given Iwo alternatives. One will In: I hat a higher levy he si ruck I o support the unemployed miners. The other will he that Ihe terms of Ihe November compromise lie accepted.