PLAIN TALK

Hawera Star, Volume XLIX, 18 November 1929, Page 7

PLAIN TALK

MINISTRY AND MINERS. ANOTHER ABORTIVE CONFERENCE. SINK THE DIFFERENCES. (United Cress Association—By Electric Telegraph Copyright.) SYDNEY, Nov. 17. The New South \\ ales Government’s decision to take over certain collieries is regarded by the miners' leaders as a grave development. Tney to-day met three Federal Ministers, Messrs Theodore, Brennan, and Beasley, to discuss the position. The miners’ representatives’ objective was to force the federal Government to carry out its promise to reopen the mines. Mr- Theodore, however, threw down the gage to the miners and told the leaders that the Government was looking to them for help, not embarrassment, in a delicate situation. The Ministry took the most serious view of the situation, and he told them it was essential that the mining unions should sink their differences and come forward with constructive proposals. The conference ended without reaching any decision. The whole matter will be considered by the "Federal Cabinet at Canberra on Tuseday. Asked if the Commonwealth Government would .be taking over the working of the* mines, Ylr. Theodore said he preferred not to discuss the matter.