Moves To End Coal Stoppages In Australia

Northern Advocate, 15 May 1943, Page 3

Moves To End Coal Stoppages In Australia

(Special) SYDNEY, May 13^ The demobilising from the A.I.F. of miners who have fought in the Middle East and New Guinea theatres and the sending of them back to the coalfields is believed to have been one of the recommendataions in a report by the Australian Coal Commission of Inquiry to the Federal Government It is considered that these men would be a valuable influence in preventing coalfields stoppages. / . The serious position of Australia s coal reserves has again been brought under public notice by the chairman of the Commonwealth Coal Commission (Mr Norman Mighell). Because of stoppages, nearly 1,000,000 tons of coal are reported to have been lost already this year. “My comfnission has been compelled to divert coal from other industries to keep munitions factories supplied,” said Mr Mighell, “with the result that stocks held by railways, electrical undertakings and . other services have been considerably curtailed. Ships had to leave for other countries without urgently-needed cargoes of coal. I cannot allow owners, miners, or the public to be lulled , into false complacency about coal, reserves. The fact is that production this year has not been sufficient to supply our own ipternaL requirements, ’with the result that reserve stocks in all States have been substantially reduced.*^.