WHISTLES BLOW.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 72, 26 March 1930, Page 7

WHISTLES BLOW.

MINING RESUMED. Men Beaten in New South Wales Coal Struggle. SICK OF IDLENESS. (United P.A.—Electric Telegraph-Copyright) SYDNEY, March 25.

On the coal fields many signs | of relief were shown when the news was yesterday that the end of the long period of idleness was measurably near. However, the fact is not overlooked that the men have been beaten. Everyone is sick of the prolonged inactivity. ■ Even the sound of bagpipes at the 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 were blown again at the Aberdare Extended Mine. This seemed to stir up new life. At Cessnock preparations are being pushed on for a resumption of work. ,■'■■ ■ • ' The owners' policy is not expected to be altered by whatever the Government or the Miners' Federation may do. A message from Canberra says the Prime Minister, Mr. J. : >H. Scullin, explained that the Federal Government's offer of a subsidy of 9d a ton was intended to apply until the Arbitration Court hearing was concluded. Tt was expected that finality-would have been reached in February. Therefore the offer of .that subsidy did not exist to-day. Convention Adamant. At the Miners' Convention yesterday it was decided not to accept any reduction iii pay or increase in hours, and that work shall not be_ resumed at the associated collieries until all; summonses against members have been withdrawn and all terms of imprisonment suspended. . i It is understood that a proposal was submitted that the men be advised to go back to work under the 1 terms of the compromise proposed in November, but that the majority of the,, delegates rejected the suggestion. The decision apparently makes a resumption of work as far off as ever. It is learned from an authoritative source that the convention will call aggregate meetings on the northern coal fields next week at which the men will bo given two alternatives. One will be that a higher levy be struck to support the unemployed miners. The other will be that the terms of the November compromise be accepted.