THE COAL INDUSTRY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20704, 30 April 1929, Page 11

THE COAL INDUSTRY

POSITION IN AUSTRALIA. GOVERNMENT’S PROPOSALS. (United Press Association.! (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) SYDNEY, April 29. The State Treasurer (Mr Stevens) has forwarded to the Miners’ Federation modified proposals by the Government for the immediate resumption of work. - The Royal Commission which will be appointed will make an investigation of the industry, and will complete its ■ report within three months. The Government’s scheme includes a wage reduction of Is. The prospects for the reopening of the mines, however, are brighter now than they have been for many weeks past. Mr M'Donald \ (president of the Northern Colliery Owners’ Association) addressed 3000 miners at Kurri Kun-i yesterday. He was given an attentive hearing. He put the case for the colliery owners, and spoke of , the dwindling trade. At the conclusion of his address the' miners cheered him. SUPPLIES FROM ABROAD. A NEW ZEALAND SHIPMENT. MELBOURNE, April 29. As the result of the coal stoppage New South Wales and Victorian consumers are ordering supplies from New Zealand and England. The second shipment from New Zealand arrived by the Kaitoke yesterday. MEN TO DISCUSS PROPOSALS. OUTLOOK NOT BRIGHT. SYDNEY, April 29. (Received April 29, at 0 p.m.) The mining industry unions are meeting this afternoon to discuss Mr Stevens’s proposals for a resumption of work in the collieries, but in the light of the tone of yesterday’s aggregate miners’ meeting the outlook is not bright. THE .PROPOSALS REJECTED. SYDNEY, April 29. (Received April 29, at 9 p.m.) The combined mining industry unions this afternoon rejected Mr Stevens’s proposals for a settlement of the coal dispute. They formulated counter proposals, one of which is “ the mines shall be reopened on the pre-dispute basis, with a royal commission to inquire into the industry, such commission to make an award on the figures before it, to which the miners agree to be bound.” . *;•