N.S.W. COAL CRISIS.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 39, 15 February 1929, Page 7

N.S.W. COAL CRISIS.

Bruce Declines Inquiry - But

Offers Subsidy.

STATE MUST DO LIKEWISE.

(Received 10.30 a.m.)

CANBERRA, this day.

Mr. Bruce received a deputation from the Coal Miners' Federation, which asked for a comprehensive inquiry into the coal industry. He refused the request, but added that the Commonwealth Government would grant a subsidy of a shilling per ton on all coal exported from New South Wales to other States, providing that the State Government would grant a similar concession. °

NOTICE OF DISMISSAL.

OWNERS' FIRST ACTION.

(Received IL3O ajn.)

SYDNEY, this dav

The first move of the coal owners' threatened action following the breakdown of negotiations, was made yesterday when miners at the Bellbird Colliery, Cressnock, received notice of dismissal.

It is stated that men at other mines will receive notice when pav is distributed to-day.

ANXIOUS TO WORK. Many Applications Received From Timbermen. STRIKE RESULTS. (Received 11 a.m.) SYDNEY, this day. Mr. F. Corkill. secretary of the Sub--1 urban Timber Merchants' Association, 'denies the statement that many firms are working their staffs on a 44-hour : week basis. He says the number ot written applications received irom volunteers for positions in the timber vards exceeded all expectations. The employers would Dot engage any volunteer labour for a few days. The shortage of timber for building contracts is throwing carpenters and joiners out of work in all the States, and the unemployed are daily increasing by hundreds. An Adelaide message states that the secretary of the Timber Workers' Federation reported that all mills are now working, mainly with volunteer labour ■on a basic wage of £4 4/.

Mr. F. Corkil is well-known in New Zealand, particularly in the Dargavflle district. Since going to Australia he fc" come prominently to the front in t£