AUSTRALIAN COAL TROUBLE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19785, 10 May 1926, Page 10

AUSTRALIAN COAL TROUBLE

THE MINES GO IDLE. MINERS AND ENGINE-DRIVERS DISAGREE. (Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright.) SYDNEY, May 8. Between 7 and 8 o’clock this morning all the mines throughout New South Wales, Victoria, and Tasmania were thrown idle owing to the engine-drivers and firemen’s dispute over wages. About 1000 engine-drivers and firemen are directly concerned, and an additional -j.OOO'to 30,000 minors were forced into idleness. Mr J. M. Baddelev (Minister of Labour) has suggested that Mr A. B. Piddington (the Industrial Commissioner) should act as arbitrator. The parties will consider mis proposal during the week-end. The miners generally are opposed to the action of the engine-drivers, Holding that the time is not opportune for a strike. The relief funds are in an exhausted condition ; consequently if the men are idle for any length of time they will suffer much hardship.

LABOUR MINISTER’S EFFORTS. THE OWNERS UNMOVED. SYDNEY, May 7. It is understood that Mr Baddelev s further interview’ failed to alter the owners’ decision. Mr Baddeley is continuing his efforts in both camps to try if possible to secure at least a truce, but unless an eleventh hour development should alter the situation, general cessation of work at the mines to-morrow is regarded as a foregone conclusion. THREE STATES AFFECTED. AN ORDERLY WITHDRAWAL. SYDNEY, May 9. (Received May 9, at 5.5 p.m.) The mining engineers 14 day’s notice expired this morning, and in accordance therewith they ceased work, putting everything in order before they left the pits. The engineers’ action threw the miners idle and work at practically all the collieries throughout New South Wales, Victoria, and Tasmania is at a standstill. As Saturday is an off day the New South Wales and ‘Southern District miners proprietors will not know what the miners intend till Monday, but it is accepted as a foregone conclusion that they will fall into line. Reports from local districts show that the men took the position philosophically and everything is quiet.

SEEKING A SOLUTION. SOME HOPE OF SETTLEMENT. SYDNEY, May 9. (Received May 9, at 5.5 p.m.) Mr Baddeley remains at Newcastle where important negotiations are proceeding with a view to finding if it is possible to find a soluton of the mining strike. A lengthy raeetng of the Federal Executive of the Engine-drivers’ Association in Sydney continued its sessions till late last night discussing the position. After this meeting a statement was made that there was still some hope of a settlement being reached, though definite information of the progress of events is not forthcoming. A PROMISING PROPOSAL. SYDNEY, May 9 (Received May 9, at 6.5 p.m.) It is understood that a possible hope of settlement of the mining trouble is that Mr Baddeley’s suggestion to appoint Mi; Piddington, Industrial Commissioner, to hold an inquiry at which each side will have three representatives sitting with hm, finds considerable favour. The men s side declare that ’they are willing to be represented at a conference with an independent chairman. In the meantime the fans are being kept going and no horses have been withdrawn from the pits. Optimists express the opinion that they will be working again early next week. The. engineers, however, appear determined to secure the demand for which they struck—namely, the wage margin for skill which was lost under the award of Mr Hibble, chairman of the Coal Tribunal.