Unconditional Surrender In Coal Strike Expected

Northern Advocate, 16 July 1949, Page 5

Unconditional Surrender In Coal Strike Expected

SYDNEY, Sat. (11 a.m.) —Although another attempt by officials of the Australian Council of Trade Unions to end the coal strike has failed, some senior Federal and State Ministers said they thought the coal strike would end late next week, with the miners giving in unconditionally. They said that reliable reports from the coalfields indicated that increasing numbers of miners were becoming dissatisfied with Communist leaders.

The ACTU peace move failed because the settlement terms did not Include unconditional release from gaol Of the miners’ leaders. Because of this, the Coal Mining Unions’ Council rejected the terms which the ACTU submitted. . However, the Coal Mining Union's Council carried a resolution urging ACTU officials to arrange another conference of all parties,. to the mineworkers log of claims, and representatives of Federal and State Governments.

A crowd of 700 sang “God Save the King” at a Newcastle ironworkers’ meeting and passed an anti-Commun-ist resolution

At Cessnock, more than 2000 people attended an Australian Labour Party meeting, although the Cessnock strike committee had declared ALP meetings black. On the Newcastle waterfront wharf labourers attacked and injured two men, allegedly distributing Communist leaflets.

The Coal Industry Tribunal (Mr F. Gallagher) has warned miners that the strike might deprive them of longservice leave. He said that, because of the shattering effect of the strike on Australia’s economy, he would have to review his draft award on long-ser-vice leave unless the miners resumed work promptly. FUTURE 1 SUPPLY The first trains carrying coal from the South Maitland field reached Sydney early this morning. The Coal Industry Authority said between 28,000 and 30,000 tons of coal would reach Sydney next week. This would enable Sydney gas companies to maintain gas supplies for some weeks. It is not yet known, however, whether the gas employees will handle the coal.

A mass meeting of about 1500 railwaymen at Eveleigh Sydney workshops passed a motion of no-confidence in executive officials of the Commun-ist-organised Eveleigh shop committee. Another mine will reopen in Queensland on Monday. Miners at Tannymorel, on the Darling Downs, voted to return to work. Tannymorel mine employs 60 men and produces 100 tons daily.

This will be the first mine outside the Rosewood area to resume since the general stoppage began on- June 27.

The miners also voted to settle all future disputes at the mine by arbitration instead of direct action. Seventeen small mines which resumed at Rosewood this week produced 1200 tons of coal daily.

Coal trains carried this coal to Brisbane for powerhouses and hospitals.

The committee of management of the Gas Employees’ Union has advised members not to handle coal now being brought in trucks' from coalfields. Officials of the union said that the decision was not a direction and the final attitude of the union ’would be determined by men on the job. The Daily Telegraph says the State and Federal Governments have a four-point plan to get coal for essential undertakings in Sydney. The points are: (1) Completion of the present lift of 20,000 tons on trucks from the South Maitland field by Monday afternoon.

TIME FOR SHOW-DOWN In Melbourne the unloading of 7000 tons of coal from the Haligonian Duke, with .volunteer labour begins next week, although Premier Hollway has emphasised that the door is still open for union workers to undertake it. Strong police guards will protect the volunteers. <

Premier Hollway said the police would surround the ship while coal was unloaded and police escorts would travel on every truck carrying coal to gasworks. Volunteers are being screened by the police to exclude possible saboteurs. Mr Hollway, in an appeal for public support, said: “The Government believes the time has arrived for a complete show-down with Communism.

(2) Lifting of 15,000 tons of coal in mine bins and at grass from South Maitland field as soon as the State Government shifts all coal in trucks. (3) A rail lift of another 15.000 ton? at grass from the western field as soon as all hewn coal is cleared from the northern field.

“We have no doubt we can successfully carry out our intentions. “The gas supply of the state will be cut oft if the coal isn’t made available. “The Government declares a restricted state of emergency to protect the community. “If it becomes necessary to widen it, this will be done."

(4) Developm.nt of open-cuts on the South Maitland and Muswelibrook fields- within the next fortnight. TIRING OF REDS Further evidence of growing opposition to Communist leaders comes from the coalfields areas.