Army Labour For Open Cut Mining

Northern Advocate, 21 July 1949, Page 5

Army Labour For Open Cut Mining

SYDNEY, Thu. (11.30 a.m.). —Though close secrecy was maintained at talks between Mr Chifley, Dr Evatt and the New South Wales Premier (Mr McGirr), it is understood that the State and Federal Governments have decided to begin production of coal from open cuts next week.

It is also believed that the Army will supply labour.

Correspondents regard it as significant that the Australian Workers’ Union, which is a non-Communist organisation with a record of numerous clashes with the Miners’ Federation, has not been asked to express its attitude towards working open cuts, and was not represented at the talks which, however, were attended by the Minister of the Army (Mr C. Chambers).

A vote by miners at Ccssnock and Kurri to continue (he strike until their claims were met and their leaders released from gaol, is not regarded as surprising as the meetings were called by the Combined Unions’ Mining Council, and organised to produce that result. * SIGNIFICANT. The Sydney Morning Herald’s Newcastle correspondent says it was significant that for the first time during the strike union leaders faced strong opposition at Ccssnock.

Moderates estimate that at least 40 per cent of the miners present at the Cessnock meeting, showed hostility to the strike.

Labour Party organisers are jubilant about' the Cessnock meeting, which they -say revealed a definite crack in the miners’ solidarity. If open cut mines are worked, operations will probably begin in the area west of Lithgow in Mr own electorate.

Army vehicles and troops are now deployed strategically, ready to move into open cuts. The railway lift of coal from the northern fields should finish today and early next week trains will begin the lift of coal at grass in the western fields. SAFETY MEN WITHDRAWN Coal mining unions’ representatives have decided to withdraw all safety men from the Aberdare colliery. The decision follows the rule of the unions that if stall' members do work normally done by union members, safety men will be withdrawn. The stall' at Aberdare loaded coal from the slack bin. The president of - the Employers’ l Federation of New South Wales (Mr W. Spooner) strongly criticised the failure of. the Federal and State Governments to work open cut mines. “This is not a game of chess,” he said.

“It is war waged by what is now less than 23,000 miners against 7,500,000 Australian citizens who are apparently without leadership.” OVERSEAS SUPPLIES The Victorian Agent-General in London (Sir Norman Martin) advised the Government that an 8500-ton consignment of British coal was booked for Victoria and 20,000 tons more tentatively offered. Twelve thousand tons are due from India in the next fortnight and 18,000 from England in the next six weeks. The Premier of Victoria (Mr Iiollway) has asked Mr Chifley to investigate a Tokio report that 20,000 tons of coal will be dumped at sea off Tokio because increasing stocks throughout Japan constitute a fire risk.