COAL CRISIS

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 163, 11 June 1929, Page 7

COAL CRISIS

“ALL OUT” STRIKE FEAR. STATE COUNCIL MEETING TO-MORROW. THOUSANDS OF STEEL WORKERS WILL BE IDLE. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright;. Received June 11, 9.45 a.m. SYDNEY, June 11. It is feared that a strike throughout the whole of the State’s coalfields will occur on Friday. The engine drivers and firemen need give only 24 hours’ notice, and Mr Atkins, the secretary, is confident that to-morrow’s meeting of the State Council, will endorse the “all out” policy. A general strike will close down the steel works at Newcastle within a very short period, throwing 10,000 men out of employment. Before the Coal Commission to-day, Mr J. A. Browne, ICC., representing the mining unions, stated that the miners were prepared to return to work under the conditions prevailing previous to cessation. “If the pit wages and costs aro higher than'claimed by the unions we will submit whatever adjustment in wages is considered necessary,” he said. It is not probable that the coal owners will agree to a resumption of work on the pre-existing rates of p>ay. The commission intends hearing evidence before inspecting the pits. RESTRICTIONS ON GAS SUPPLY. SYDNEY FEELING THE EFFECTS. SYDNEY, Juno 10. The community is at last beginning to fee! the effects of the coal hold-up. The largest Metropolitan gas company announces restrictions on the supply and urges consumers to use 10 per cent, less gas for cooking. The company is forthwith cutting off gas between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. and between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. This will affect half a million people immediately. The restaurants are already radically revising their menus. The Government has appointed an Emergency Gas Board similar to that during the strike of 1917. The Government lias given an assurance that the police force is adequate for the preservation of order, although feeling is tense on the northern coalfields. Mr C. MacDonald, chairman of the Northern Colliers’ Association, in an interview to-day, admitted that the position was extremely serious for gas users. If the safety men were withdrawn, together with the drivers from the western and southern pits, the aspect is to be placed before the mine diately cease. Mr MacDonald added that all reserves of coal were by now exhausted. PICKETS AT RICHMOND. NEWCASTLE, June 10. Between 3000 and 4000 miners marched to the Richmond colliery before six o’clock this morning and picketed the mine. The police reported that nothing occurred to warrant intervention. From this mine the engine-drivers and firemen have been withdrawn, and the restlessness is more manifest each day.