CRITICAL STAGE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 49, Issue 201, 11 June 1929, Page 5

CRITICAL STAGE

NEW SOUTH WALES COAL.

GENERAL STOPPAGE FEARED. DRIVERS AND FIREMEN. (United Press Association—Copyright.) (Received This Day, 9.45 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. It is feared that a coal strike throughout the whole State wjjl take place on Friday.

The engine-drivers and firemen need to give only 24 hours’ notice and Mr Atkins (secretary of the New South Wales Union) is confident that the meeting of the State Council to-mor-row will endorse an “all out” policy. A general strike will close the steel works at Newcastle within a very short period, throwing 10,000 men out of employment.—Australian Press Association.

MINERS’ OFFER TO RETURN. ON THE PREVIOUS CONDITIONS. (Received This Day, 9.55 aim.) SYDNEY, This Day. At the Coal Commission, Mr Browne, K.C., representing the mining unions, stated that the miners were prepared to return to work under the conditions prevailing previous to the cessation of work. “If the pit wages costs are higher than is contended by the unions, we will submit to whatever adjustment of wages is considered necessary,” he said.

It is improbable that the coal-owners will agree to the resumption' of work on the pre-existing rates of payi.—'Australian Press Association.

DEMONSTRATION BY MINERS.

NEWCASTLE, June 10.

Between 3000 and 4000 miners marched to the Richmond main colliery before 6 o’clock this morning, and picketed the mine. The police reported that nothing had occurred to warrant intervention.

From this mine the engine-drivers and firemen had been withdrawn, and a growing restlessness was more manifest every day.—Australian Press Association.

SYDNEY GAS RESTRICTED.

RESERVES OF FUEL EXHAUSTED. SYDNEY, June 10. The community is at last beginning to feel the effects of the coal hold-up. The largest metropolitan gas company announces restrictions of the supply, urging consumers to use 10 per cent, less gas for cooking. The company is forthwith cutting off gas between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. This will affect 500,000 people immediately. The restaurants are already radically revising their menus. The Government has appointed an Emergency Gas Board, similar to that during the 1917 strike. The Government gives an assurance that the Police Force is adequate for the preservation of order, although feeling is tense on the northern coalfields. •

Mr C. M. McDonald, chairman of the Northern Collieries’ Association, interviewed, admitted that the position was extremely serious for gas users. If the safety men were withdrawn, together with the drivers, from the western and southern pits, the coal supplies of the State will immediately cease. He added that all reserves are by now exhausted. The Coal Commission intends, before hearing evidence, to inspect the pits. Counsel are urging that the whole of the evidence should he taken in camera, and this point is now under consideration. Mr J. A. Browne, counsel for the miners, appealed for the reopening of the mines on the old conditions before the investigation commences. This aspect is to be placed before the mine-owners and the Government.