LABOUR TROUBLES.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLV, Issue 11928, 23 October 1919, Page 5

LABOUR TROUBLES.

SYDNEY COAL MINERS. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. Sydney, Oct. 22. The secretary ,of the ‘Coalminers’ Federation wrote to Mr Hughes and to the owners’ representatives drawing attention to unrest developing in the northern iields owing to the increasing export of coal to New Zealand, which, it was alleged, the New Zealand coalownera were using to defeat the miners, who were endeavouring to obtain increased wages and better conditions. Therefore the members of the Australian Federation were not prepared to produce coal for that purpose. He urged colliery proprietors to cease shipping coal to New Zealand until the dispute was settled, failing which there was a danger of the local miners ceasing work. The owners replied that it was impossible for them to accede to the request; in fact, they hoped that the New Zealand delta and for Australian coal would increase, as a long time must ensue before the collieries reached the standard of prewar export trade. Moreover, New' Zealand was also importing American coal, and stoppage ©t supplies from Australia would handicap local industry and benefit American industry. A special meeting of the Federation has been called to discuss the matter. Received Oct. 23, 5). 30 a.m. London, Oct. 21. As a result of negotiations with the Labour loaders. Government has decided to extend the Wages Act to September 30th, 1920, thus ensuring continuance of war bonuses.