IMPATIENT MINERS

Evening Star, Issue 26038, 28 February 1947, Page 7

IMPATIENT MINERS

THREAT OF GENERAL STRIKE

CLAIMS FOX IHFS3VEB CONCITIGKS

IMMEDIATE ACTION DEMANDED

(Rec. 12.20 p.m.) .SYDNEY, February 2S

The Central Council of the

miners has announced that a general stoppage is inevitable unless the Federal and State Governments deal immediately with the miners’ claims for improved conditions.

A meeting ot presidents issued a statement .saying that they had before them reports indicating that, while he Commonwealth and State Governments and owners had made some moves, nothing of a decisive charcater liad been done to meet the claims. The Common wealth Coal Board had been gazetted, but only the vaguest outline of its programme had been given. The manner in which the matter was being dragged out was lending to a glowing frustration, and (he Federal Government's attitude was suspect. • v

Aggregate meetings of miners in New South Wales, Queensland, and Victoria will commence on Wednesday to discuss a general strike. In Adelaide gas restrictions began at midnight last night because iff the coal shortage. Advocates of a general strike are not having things their own way. An appeal by the Prime Minister, )Ir J. B. Chifley, to the miners not to jeopardise the jobs of workers in other industries is having its effect, as also is the offer by combined coal owners in New South Wales to confer on the general claims on March 10 or another suitable date.