Months Before Normality Returns

Northern Advocate, 30 July 1949, Page 5

Months Before Normality Returns

AFTER-EFFECTS OF COAL STRIKE ...

SYDNEY, Sat. (12.30 p.m.).—Even if the miners decide at aggregate meetings on the coalfields next week to return to work, it will be weeks, and perhaps months, before industry is functioning normally again. , , This means that widespread unemployment will not end abruptly, but will be tapered off.

A Government official said it would be at least a month after the end of the strike before all factories were working full blast. He added that the Government favoured the building up of coal stocks as a major step after the end of the strike.

Employers’ spokesmen think it will take much longer to get back to normal. They said most industries would take from three to six months to reach pre-strike production. The spokesmen added that many industries would not resume until they were assured of a continuous power supplyMeanwhile, some factories, using only electricity, will begin working a night shift tomorrow night. A spokesman for a Sydney rubber factory said this night shift would provide work for 700 employees at this plant. Permission has been given for the processing of prepared stock and poultry feeds during the night.

OPEN-CUT MINING In Canberra, the Prime Minister (Mr Chifley) said the Joint Coal Board had a long-range plan for development of open-cut mining. Heavy earth - moving equipment from the United States would be used to increase production. This would enable a much greater depth of overburden to be removed with no increase in cost.

The Sydney Morning Herald's Canberra correspondent says it is understood that Mr Chifley's announcement does not mean that the Government plans to build up coal reserves. Increased production will be absorbed in the normal needs of industry. Gaol authorities have refused permission for three Labour members of the State Parliament to visit the miners’ leaders in Long Bay gaol.

They wanted to see the two moderate ALP mine leaders, Messrs Grant and Fitzgibbon. NO PRIVILEGES

Their object was to get a message from the moderates in gaol to the miners at next week’s aggregate meetings, if these meetings are held. Mr J. Seiffert, MLA (Labour), one of the politicians who went to the gaol to see the strike leaders, said: “These two moderates in gaol could have given a lead to the miners by telling them to go back to work. “It would have been a good counter to Communist propaganda.” Mr Seiffert said no special privileges are being granted to union officials in gaol. . . “The union officials are receiving medical treatment in gaol, because a visiting surgeon has directed that it be given to them.” he announced.