THREAT OF STRIKE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19701, 5 August 1938, Page 5

THREAT OF STRIKE

AUSTRALIAN RIFT COALMINERS' DEMANDS WEEK OF 30 HOURS NO REDUCTION OF PAY PENSIONS AT 60 YEARS fElec. Tel. Copyright —United Press Assn.) (Reed. Aug. 5, 9 a.m.) SYDNEY, Aug. 4. The 'Miners' Federation delegates opened their convention at Sydney to-day to determine whether there would be a general strike in the coal industry and aiming at shorter hours, pensions and improved safety conditions. A memorial ceremony for 73 men killed in mines in eastern States in the past year preceded the opening of the convention, the delegates standing with bowed heads for two minutes of silence. A majority ol* the mines in AusIraiia were idle to-day with similar observance at the pitheads. Only one of 12 collieries at Cessnock, in the northern coalfields, worked to-day. Delegates from all States and New Zealand arc attending the convention. The proceedings are being held in camera. Attitude of Cabinet In the Legislative Assembly, the Premier of New South Wales, Mr. B. S. B. Stevens, replying to Mr. Davies, who represents a south coast coalmining constituency, said that the coal dispute was receiving the consideration of the Government and the Minister . concerned was ascertaining the points at issue. If the occasion demanded action by the Government, this would be dictated by what it considered to be in the best interests of both parties and the State. It was ascertained last night that the miners' convention intended, within a few days, to serve log claims on the Federal and Slate Governments and also the colliery proprietors. The claims include a 30-hour five-day week without reduction of pay, pensions for miners retired at GO years of age, 14 days' annual leave and far-reaching safety measures. Two Weeks Allowed IT the demands are not conceded within two weeks from the date of serving the log a general strike will be declared throughout Australia. Mass meetings of miners will be held beforehand to sanction that course. The delegates claimed that the trade union movement and kindred unions throughout Australia were behind the miners. Mr. Charles Nelson, the general president of the Miners' Federation, addressed the convention. He declared that the miners were determined to stage the most historic strike the industry had known. He and other officers dwelt at length on the hazards of coalmining and the appalling deathroll since the mechanisation of underground workings.