HOPES FOR SETTLEMENT

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17176, 5 February 1930, Page 7

HOPES FOR SETTLEMENT

N.S.W. COAL DISPUTE DELICATE NEGOTIATIONS DOLES MAY BE STOPPED (Eloc. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Received February 5, 11 a.m.) SYDNEIY, Feb. 5. ; Hope has emerged once again firom the silence which enveloped the latest coal settlement negotiations. All parties, the Federal and State mines, employers and miners' representatives, maintain secrecy over some of the most delicate adjustments yet attempted. . '. It is believed the basis of the agreement will provide for the Federal Government . carrying the disputed proportions of the production cost reductions until the Arbitration Court gives its final award. . Messrs. Scullin and Theodore went to Canberra last night and will return to Sydney at the week-end. One of the big stumbling blocks is the Rothbury mine,, hut it is rumored that the State Cabinet will do eveiything to forward a settlement unconditionally on sufficient assurances of sin* cerity being given. It is reported in Oessnock that Mr. John Brown, owner of the Pelaw Main and Richmond Main collieries, visited the fields during the week. He declared that if the militants could he subdued the trouble would he over in a fortnight.

Branxton members of the Miners" Federation have been cut off the dole owing to their refusal to lift the "black" ban. It is now stated that the Government is considering the withdrawal of all doles being paid to out-of-work miners on the northern field. Cabinet contends that in view- of the financial stringency it cannot afford to keep men for whom work is available. Before the actual withdrawal is ordered an effort will be made to persuade the men to accept work offering. The present figures show that 1650 miners are receiving the dole, the weekly cost of which is £I3OO. There are also 3000 families on' the coalfields drawing an endowment at an average of £3B a year per family. Mr. J. T. Atkins, general'secretary of the Federated Engine Drivers* Association, to-day instructed' the mem-, hers to resume work in all northern collieries, and expects work -will" recommence immediately at what is known as the,unasaoeiated pits, which were working before ..Christmas, and that attempts will be made to restart the associated pits which are subject to the prolonged dispute. Mr. Atkins says his men will have to run the risk of being picketed. He received an assurance that the police will afford them every protection.

"BLACK BAN" LIFTED FROM CRICKETER TO COMPLETE A TEAM BRANXTON, N.S.W., Jan. 21, ' It was thought that at the meeting of the Branxton Miners' Lodge to : day one of the two hotels in ,B,ranxton would bo declared "white" again. Although :i proposal was made that the bun be lifted, when the motionwas taken, it was decided -by" an overwhelming majority that both hotels should remain ' ' black.'' At the' same meeting a section of the miners endeavored"to, have a mem-;: 1 be.r of the Colliery Mechanics' Association expelled from his union for selling soft drinks to, the police in camp at Rothbury. It was decided to , ask the man to discontinue selling the drinks, but the motion to have him expolled from his union jfell through. The miners' meeting...was held in the local picture theatre. The Branxton branch of the Colliery Mechanics' Association mot in the Jj local School of Arts to-day. It in- : eludes men from Rothbury and N,ew Greta colliery. It was decided to lift the "black'' ban from one of the hotels,'land all the newspapers were;,: declared, "white." '..This is in direct:; ' opposition to'the local miners' lodge decision, which still keeps all newspapers, except the ; Labor Daily aiwl the Newcastle Herald, " black." Many local residents regard the "black" ban as a huge joke. One local business man," whose shop is ■ "black," had the ban specially lifted from him on Saturday afternoon, when it was found that the local cricket team was a man short When his services to the cricket team were concluded, he was immediately declared " black'' again. Both garages in Branxton are more or less "black," aw a result of police, vehicles filling up--their 'petrol.'tanks there. A curious feature is that one garage owner is named Black and the-other is named Hrown. As a 'result 6f having heavier dealings in petrol with the polico, Mr. Brown is "blacker" than Mr. Black. '

POLICE ORGANISATION- ;; CESSNOCK, Jan. 21. Police organisation on the coalfields is now as efficient as can be. Wireless transmitting' sots are in operation at strategic • points, and- there is a. special wireless at the Cessnock polk*;' station. Here. an operator - Sits.; throughout the day .and night, with, earphones on his head. The flying: squad can.l)o got to any point at "the. shortest notice. WOMAN ORDERED TO LEAVE,;, BRANXTON, Jan. 22. A Greta miner had an unenviable experience yesterday. A young woman friend of' the family was ordered to leave the town for reading a ''black" 1 , newspaper. She was spending a- hoik day with her friends, and was seen by miners reading a "black" newspaper in the main street. The matter was re-. ported to the local miners' lodge, and was brought up at the meeting yesterday. The lodge decided that the young woman was to leave the town, and notice to that effect was immediately served on the miner with whose family she was staying.. She left the town yesterday afternoon.