N.S.W. COAL INDUSTRY

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XIX, Issue 31, 23 January 1929, Page 4

N.S.W. COAL INDUSTRY

EFFORTS AT RESTORATION PREMIER MEETS MINERS' FEDERATION PROPOSED REDUCTIONS I United Presc Aasociation-By CebleCopyright.J lAustrahan aud N.Z. .Prose Association.) Sydney Jan. 22. Efforts to rehabilitate the coal industry began to-day, when the Premier, Mr. Bavin, met in conference with representatives of tho Miners’ Federation. The proceedings were secret, but it is understood that tho Premiei propounded a proposal for a reduction of wages by 1/- a ton and a reduction in the selling price of coal by 4/- a ton. The view is expressed in union circles that the miners will not agree to a wage reduction, but it is expected the coalowners sooner or la..ei will take the initiative, as they did in England, towards a reduction in order to bring matters to a climax The miners are already receiving financial assistance from the Government. pending the outcome of the present negotiations to stabilise the industry.

Cabinet to-day decided to ’iscontinue the relief granted to unem ployed miners at Broken Hill, and sub-committee was appointed to ascertain whether the idle Broken Hill mines can be re-opened with the co-operation of tho miners themselves.

If not, tho Government proposes to discourage the miners from remaining there wasting their time and living on doles, which is uneconomical. PROPOSALS REJECTED BY MINERS Sydney, Jan. 22. After a three hours’ discussion the miners’ representatives rejected the Premier’s proposal, which they claimed meant a 12) per cent, reduction on contract rates and 1/- a ton on the wage rate. As an alternative the miners’ le prosentatives proposed that there should be a complete inquiry into the ramifications of the coal industry which they contended would open the way for rehabilitation of tho indus try. Mr. Bavin replied that there was no hope of such an inouiry unless the miners accepted the reduced rates of pay. Tho conference broke up leaving the position as it was.