COAL INDUSTRY

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 218, 11 June 1929, Page 11

COAL INDUSTRY

CRISIS IN NEW SOUTH WALES ENGINE-DRIVERS DECIDE TO STOP WORK EFFORT TO GET VICTORIA TO FOLLOW SUIT (United Press Association. —By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) Sydney, June 10. A crisis has arisen in the coal industry. The engine-drivers and firemen emploj’ed in the Northern mines outside the Associated Collieries to-day decided to cease work on Wednesday, and a meeting of their State council on Wednesday will pass a resolution calling up on drivers and firemen in the Southern and Western collieries to cease work. An attempt will also be made to induce similar action’ in Victoria. RICHMOND MAIN COLLIERY PICKETED Newcastle, June 10. Between 3000 and 4000 miners marched to Richmond Main Colliery before 6 in the morning and picketed the mine. The police reported that nothing occurred to warrant intervention. From this mine the engine-drivers and firemen have been withdrawn, and growing restlessness is more manifest each day. COMMUNITY FEELING EFFECTS RESTRICTIONS ON GAS SUPPLY (Rec. June 10, 8.30 p.m.) 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 on the supply and 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 between 8 p.m. .and 6 a.m. This will affect half a million people immediately. The restaurants are already radically revising their menus. The Government has appointed an Emergency Gas Board similar to that during the 1917 The Government gives assurance that the police force is adequate for the preservation of order, although feeling is tense on the Northern coalfields. Mr. C. MacDonald, chairman of the Northern Collieries’ Association, in an interview, 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 If the safety men were withdrawn, together with the drivers from the Western and Southern pits, the coal supplies of the State would immediately cease. He added that all reserves of coal are by now exhausted. COAL COMMISSION TO INSPECT PITS APPEAL FOR REOPENING OF MINES (Rec. June 10, 8.30 p.m.) Sydney, June 10. The Coal Commission' intends before hearing evidence to inspect the pits. Counsel is urging that the whole of the evidence be taken in camera, and this point is now under consideration. Mr. J. A. Browne, counsel for the miners, has 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 arid the Government.