MINERS’ STRIKE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 65, Issue 268, 23 August 1945, Page 5

MINERS’ STRIKE.

MORE PITS IDLE. SYDNEY, August 22. Miners from two more pits have gone on strike in sympathy with the stay-in strikers at Rhondda Colliery. Approximately 1000 men are now idle at six mines, for a daily loss of 3000 tons of coal. Strikers staged a march on the Rhondda pit to-day. The stay-in strikers have now been underground more than 50 hours. Food is being sent down every four hours and hot tea - every two hours. Blankets and warm clothing have also been sent down the pit. Seven other mines are idle for other reasons in the north and south of New South Wales to-day, the total loss of coal for the day being 10,000 tons. Train services, both passenger and goods, are to be cut owing to the serious decrease in coal stocks. The Railway 'Commissioner (Mr T. J. Hartigan), in announcing this, said he was very reluctant to make cuts, hut the coal position left him no other course. The reductions would apply to goods traffic from Monday next and passenger traffic during-the following week. Only one express train would run between Sydney and Melbourne, and Sydney and Brisbane. Sleeping ears would lie withdrawn from all trains. The Commonwealth Coal Commissioner (Mr W. E. Mighell) said that the coal position was going from bad to worse, and between now and Christmas industry generally would have to be curtailed. Saying that the housing programme depended largely on an ample supply of coal, Mr Mighell added: “Doubtless the housing authorities will determine whether building materials, already in short supply, are to be made available to build new and better bathrooms for miners, or whether the same materials are to be used to i build houses for people who have neither houses nor bathrooms.” The strike at Rhondda Colliery is over a demand for a. new bathroom, which is nearly completed,.