DEBATE IN ASSEMBLY

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 33, 9 February 1927, Page 9

DEBATE IN ASSEMBLY

COAL OWNER'S DEFIANCE

, SYDNEY, Bth Feb.

In the Legislative Assembly, Mr. Booth, member for Newcastle, moved the adjournment of the House to discuss the situation on the northern coal fields. '

Mr. Booth said that unless something were done a serious crisis would be precipitated. He explained that recently the' day-wage men had been granted an increase in pay of from Is 3d to Is 6d daily. Coincidentally' the coal owners increased the price of coal by Is 6d a ton. 'The miners wanted local boards on the fields to deal with disputes arising from time to time and an inquiry by the Federal Government as to whether the increase in the price of coal was justified. The increase meant a present of £850,000 to the owners yearly.

Mr. Scott Fell, himself a coal owner, said that every increase granted to the miners was followed.: by: further demands. They -were too well paid. Foreign trade was almost entirely lost. "If the miners want a fight they can have it," he said. •.-'"■'.'There will be only one result for them: that is absolute defeat. Supplies of coal in Australia are at a maximum."

Mr. Davies said the principal grievance of the miners arose out of the working of. bad or abnormal places in the mines where a. miner could not earna decent living wage. He said there should be a minimum living wage recoverable at law.

After further discussion' the motion was defeated by 45 votes to 36. .