AUSTRALIAN MINERS

Evening Star, Issue 23056, 7 September 1938, Page 9

AUSTRALIAN MINERS

GENERAL STRIKE THREAT LIKELY TO BEGIN ON FRIDAY Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright SYDNEY, September 6. A general coal strike throughout the Commonwealth will begin on Friday unless mediation intervenes in the meantime. The number of mine workers and dependents likely to be affected will be 100,000, of whom 80 per cent, are in New South Wales. Miners’ officials stated to-night that there was no alternative to a strike, as the mine owners’ and State Governments’ replies to their ultimatum were most unsatisfactory. The Federal Government merely formally acknowledged the letter.

SMALL HOPES OF PEACE PRIME MINISTER’S WARNING. SYDNEY, September 7. (Received September 7, at 11.30 a.m.) A coal strike throughout the Commonwealth will begin on Friday unless mediation intervenes meantime. This decision was reached after consultation with representatives of the Amalgamated Engineering Union and the Federated Engine Drivers and Firemen’s Association. The Directions Committee agreed to tentative discussions with those owners’ organisations which indicated vyillingness to consider the matters in dispute. Little hope of satisfactory results, however, are entertained by the union officials. The Prime Minister (Mr Lyons), in a statement at Canberra, warned_ the miners that if they resorted to direct action they would alienate the sympathy of the general public. A strike would amount to waging industrial war on the community, and would be absolutely unjustified. Tbe Sydney County Council’s coal stocks represent normal supplies for only 12 weeks.