STRIKE BEGUN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23139, 10 September 1938, Page 13

STRIKE BEGUN

CESSNOCK MINERS 4000 CEASE WORK GENERAL STOPPAGE MOVES TO AVERT EFFORTS OF MINISTERS By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright (Received September 0, 8.45 p.m.) SYDNEY, Sept. O Four thousand miners on the Cessnock coalfields ceased work today, in addition to the 800 who struck on the northern field yesterday.

The general secretary of the Miners' Federation, Mr. W. Orr, had sent the following telegram to all the coalmining districts : —"ln confirmation of the decision of the Directions Committee, all work must cease as from Friday." In an interview Mr. Orr said: "Our instructions will be carried out 100 per cent in every pit in the Commonwealth." About 7000 tons of British coal have been ordered by the Melbourne Metropolitan Gas Company in expectation of a prolonged strike. Important last-minute moves to avert- a general strike in the coalmining industry were made to-day. The Premier, Mr. B. S. Stevens, announced that the Minister of Mines, Mr. R. S. Vincent, had motored to Canberra in order to discuss certain features of the dispute with the Prime Minister, Mr. J. A,, Lyons.

The leader of the Federal Labour Opposition, Mr. J. Curtin, algo entered into peaco negotiations after a telephone conversation with the miners'' leaders, who said they would be satisfied with a Federal investigation into their grievances. Tho Prime Minister has agreed to receive a u v putation from the Miners' Federation ..o-morrow. COAL FROM TYNE ADELAIDE INQUIRIES ' LONDON, Sept. 2 Offers of coal have been invited from the Tvne for Adelaide. A vessel has already been chartered at the low rate of 10s 6d a ton, which is unusual.