AUSTRALIAN COAL-MINERS

Greymouth Evening Star, 15 June 1944, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN COAL-MINERS

ACTION AGAINST STRIKERS.

SYDNEY, June 14. Coalminers on an important northern New South Wales field have voted in favour of sterner action by the Miners’ Federation against men starting irresponsible strikes. By a margin of more than three votes to two they endorsed the retention of the strict disciplinary code adopted two years ago. This endorsement is interpreted as a mandate to the federation to apply to the limit of penalties prescribed for code breaches. It is accepted as a hopeful sign for peace on the coalfields. Because of the number of times the requests of union leaders for continued coal production had been ignored, the miners’ leaders had become uncertain of the miners’ reaction to the imposing of penalties on those responsible for unjust stoppages. Armed with the substantial authority of the ballot just completed, they are known to be determined that every union order for continued work is obeyed. Under the disciplinary code individuals are punishable by fines up to £5 and suspension or expulsion from miners’ lodges. Refusal by a lodge to observe the code may be punished by the expulsion of the lodge from the federation. During the present year more than £lOOO in fines has been collected from members adjudged guilty of .causing strikes. In spite of a drop last week in the number of unauthorised mine stoppages, Australia’s coal position remains serious. In Victoria, the coal position is such that the. Railway Commissioners are curtailing transport, and have cancelled all race trains. Race meetings may not be held in the State for some time. A hopeful feature is the increased output at the first mine t?ken over by the Government on March 10. Since then production has risen by onethird, and there have been no unauthorised stoppages at the mine.

BRITISH M.P’s. AID

(Rec. 12.15.) CANBERRA, June 15. At the urgent request of the Federal Government, Mr. Frank Collindridge is detaching himself from the British Parliamentary delegation now jn Australia, in order to assist in the appeals lor greater production. Mr. Collindridge represents the mining district of Barnsley in the House of Commons. He is Vice-President of the British Miners’ Federation. Mineworkers on the northern New South Wales coalfields were addressed by Mr. Collindridge last week, and 'reports to the Government say he brought home the real need of the war effort to his mining audience, as no previous speaker had done. The Acting Prime Minister (IVli. Forde) has announced that last week showed an increase in coal production. There would be no further coal rationing until after another review by the Cabinet. He hoped that if .the steps being taken to increase proauction succeeded, more severe rationing would not be necessary.