LATE 'NEWS REQUEST TO MINERS

Greymouth Evening Star, 27 May 1946, Page 5

LATE 'NEWS REQUEST TO MINERS

“BACK” SATURDAY AND KING’S BIRTHDAY WORK NO DECISION YET Because of the grave coal shortage in the Dominion, the Mining Controller, Mr. C. H. Benney, has requested all coal mines in New Zealand to resume work on “back” Saturdays, as from next month, in the case of northern and southern district mines on June 1, and on the West Coast on June 8. It is understood that the Miners’ National Council has recommended that the request be met by the miners. No decision has yet been made by the Grey district unions, but it is understood that the request will be placed before the Strongman State miners to-morrow morning. Payment for “back” Saturdays will be at time and a half. The Mining Controller has also requested that the mines work on the King’s Birthday holiday, June 3, for which payment will be made at double time, plus ordinary time. The mmeis have not yet considered this request, but it is understood that in this case, too, the Miners’ National Council has made a favourable recommendation to the unions. AMERICAN RAILROADS AGAIN NORMAL (Rec. 3.10 p.m,) WASHINGTON, May 26. Mr. Truman has ordered that railroads be returned to their owners who reported that the train sei vices throughout the nation were operating normally. DEATH OF BISHOP INGRAM (Rec. 3 p.m.) LONDON, May 26. The death has occurred of Dr. A. F. Winnington Ingram, aged 88, a former Bishop of London. J. FORCE DRAFT SAILING ON WEDNESDAY (P.A.) WELLINGTON, May 27. The first section of the J Force replacement draft will leave Wellington by the Empire Pride on Wednesday. The advance parties are now on board. The ship will probably sail about noon. The draft numbers 1600. ANTI-INFLATION MEASURES IN HUNGARY (Rec. 3 p.m.) BUDAPEST, May 26. Seven hundred Government decrees will have to be put into opeiation in order to start on August 1 the new reforms, including new money and stricter rationing in an effort to halt Hungary’s runaway inflation. Financial authorities stated that the new money will be based on crops, increased coal production, and a leduction in the number of State employees. The value of the pengo, meanwhile, has dropped to 15,000,000,000 to the dollar.