N.S.W. Coal Output Falling More Behind Expectations And Needs

Grey River Argus, 28 October 1948, Page 5

N.S.W. Coal Output Falling More Behind Expectations And Needs

SYDNEY, October 27. Coal stocks are now so low that gas and electricity rationing may be necessary in Sydney in the C'hnstmas and New Year holidays. The reasons are continued coalfields strikes and the failure of some of the Joint Coal Board’s plans to step up production. t , x , The Coal Board on August 4 withdrew proceedings against the Miners’ Federation before the Coal Industry Tribunal and the Federation in turn promised measures to increase output. The Coal Board s application on that occasion . was for more stringent qualifications for miners’ annual leave. . The Miners’ Federation promised,* first, to introduce within three weeks internal discipline to increase production; secondly, to recommend a second shift wherever possible in open-cast mines; and, thirdly, to agree to work in the mines at double rates of pay on alternate Saturdays. . . . The coal authorities now claim ‘hat in fifty-seven working days since August 4, coal losses have been more than 461,000 tons as against 419,000 tons in fifty-seven days before the withdrawal of the Coal Board’s application. Production has not increased through internal discipline, as, where men have been fined for breaches, they have struck against the fine. No second shift has been introduced into any open-cut mine in New South Wales. ‘‘Back Saturday” work started late and has been intelrupted by disputes so that production by.this means has been only 69,000 tons, whereas it should have been 250,000 tons. MINERS MAY EXTEND STOPPAGE The Miners’ Federation has decided that the south-coast coal strike, which has been in progress since October 6, will continue pending fresh attempts to settle the Kemeira tunnel dispute. If these negotiations fail, an aggregate meeting of the miners in other 1 parts of New South Wales will be asked on November 3 to give their full support to the strikers. The dispute has already cost 150,000 tons of coal. The Federation has rejected a tentative agreement with the Australian Workers’ Union for a settlement and the general secretary of the Workers’ Union charges that the repudiation was at the behest of the Communist Party.