MINERS CONCERNED

Hawera Star, Volume XLIX, 16 November 1929, Page 5

MINERS CONCERNED

GOVERNMENT TAKES ACTION.

TALK OF GENERAL STRIKE.

WAGE'S REDUCTION UNPOPULAR. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph Copyright.) SYDNEY, Nov. 14. The climax ha* almost been 'reached in the coal hold-up. The New South Wales State Government intends to cake over several Maitrand pits and wonk .them on a basis of slightly iieuueed wages. This is causing the mining 111110*1113 the utmost concern, as they realise that there will be an ap'peaa to volunteer labour if the unionists hold aloof. . . A meeting of the mining unions executive was held to-da;y. There was talk of a general strike if the Government insisted on the reduction of wages. It was "eventual ly decided, to await the result of the conference to be held in the week-end between the Federal! Treasurer, Mr E. G. Theodore*, the AttorneyGeneral, Mr F. Brennan ,the assistant Minister of Industries, Mr J. A. Beaisey and the miners’ officials. The Premier, Mr T. R. Bavin, annon need in the Assembly to-day that the, Government had made up its mind about the whole matter, but would Lielay action until after Mr Theodore's conference in the week-end.

SITUATION AT HOME.

GOVERNMENT’S PROPOSALS.

(British Official Wireless). RUGBY. Nov. 14. A final decision of the Miners’ Federation. whether to accept and support the Government proposals for the milling industry will not lie taken until he national delegate conference, meets next week. Several of the district councils have, however, 'already accepted the* proposals for their respective areas, and there is little doubt that the federation will adopt the recommendations of its ex ecu it ve and accept the Government’s, plans. rlegislation will ho shortly introduced giving ef-I'oi-.t. to these, proposals. 11l some quarters it is oonsulered probable that the Government Bill will include provision for a national hoard similar in outline to that working so satisfactorily in the' railway industry, to which the district, conciliation organisations can appeal, when necessary;, on points, relating to wages and conditions of w r ork. . Meanwhile, although the Mining Association. which is the organisation of owners, maintains as a body its opposition to the Government's plans regarding hours and wages. Coal-owners of south and west Yorkshire have issued the text of resolutions declining their acceptance of the Government’s proposals and expressing the view that the Government ‘should not in the general interests of the industry he left without the asset of the coal-owners in framing legislative proposals.” , . , . , , The 74 hours’ dlay, which is to become operative under the Cabinet’s _ scheme, is already operative in Yorkshire.