GRAVE DEVELOPMENT

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 46, 18 November 1929, Page 11

GRAVE DEVELOPMENT

NEW SOUTH WALES COAL DISPUTE GOVERNMENT’S DECISION TO TAKE OVER COLLIERIES THEODORE THROWS DOWN GAGE TO MINERS Representatives of the New South Wales miners interviewed Federal Ministers with a view to forcing the Government to reopen the mines, but Mr. Theodore threw down the gage to them, and said the Government looked to them for help, not embarrassment. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (Rec. November 17, 5.5 p.m.) Sydney, November 17. , The State Government’s decision to take over certain collieries is regarded by. the miners’ leaders as a grave development. They to-day met the Federal Ministers, Messrs. Theodore, Brennan,, and Beasley, to discuss the position. The miners’ representatives’ objective was to force the Federal Government to carry out the promise to reopen the mines. Mr. Theodore, however, threw down the gage to the miners, and told the leaders that the Government was looking to them for help, not embarrassment, in a delicate situation. The Ministry took a most serious view of the situation, and he told them it was essential that the mining unions should sink their differences and come forward with constructive proposals. The conference ended without reaching any decision. The whole matter will be considered by the Federal Cabinet at Canberra on Tuesday. Asked if the Commonwealth Government would be taking over the working of the mines, Mr. Theodore said he preferred not to discuss the matter. MINING UNIONS PERTURBED APPEAL FOR VOLUNTEER LABOUR FEARED Sydney, November 16. The climax has almost been reached in the coal hold-up in New South Wales. The State Government’s intention to take over several of the Maitland pits and work them on a basis of slightly reduced wages is causing the mining unions the utmost concern, as they realise that there will be an appeal for volunteer labour if the unionists hold aloof. A meeting of the mining unions’ executive was held yesterday, when there was talk of a general strike if the Government insisted on wage reduction. It was eventually decided to await the result of a conference which is being held at the week-end between the Federal Treasurer, Mr. E. G. Theodore, the Attorney-General, Mr. Brennan, and the Assistant Minister, Mr. Beasley, and the miners’ officials. The Premier, Mr. T. R. Bavin, announced in the Legislative Assembly that the Government had made up its mind about the whole matter, but would delay action until after Mr. Theodore’s week-end conference. RATES OFFERED BY GOVERNMENT Sydney, November 16. The State Government has officially announced that applications will be invited immediately from men prepared to accept work at the mines taken over by the Government. The rates offered provide a shilling per ton reduction on the present wages. The cost of the coal to be sold by the Government will be approximately 4s. a ton below the present prices. The Rothbury Mine will be opened probably on Wednesday next and the Cessnock Mine a few days later. The secretary of the Miners’ Federation, Mr. Davies, stated definitelyrihat the miners were not prepared to resume work at reduced wages. THE PROBLEM IN BRITAIN GOVERNMENT’S SCHEME VOTED ON BY MINERS (Rec. November 17, 5.5 p.m.) London, November 17. The Yorkshire miners on a card vote rejected the Government’s coal scheme by 1057 votes to 733. Durham miners and the Northumberland Miners’ Council accepted the proposals.