COAL WRANGLE

Southland Times, Issue 21001, 6 February 1930, Page 5

COAL WRANGLE

THE NEXT MOVE AWAITING ARBITRATION COURT’S DECISION HOPES OF SETTLEMENT (United Press Assn.—By Telegraph—Copyright) Sydney, February 5. Hope has emerged once again from the silence which enveloped the latest coal settlement negotiations. All the parties—Federal and State Ministers and the 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 ths production cost reductions until the Arbitration Court gives its final award.

Mr Scullin and Mr Theodore went to Canberra last night and return to Sydney at the week-end.

One of the big stumbling blocks is Rothbury, but it is rumoured that the State Cabinet will do everything to help forward a settlement conditionally on sufficient assurances of sincerity being given. It is reported in Cessnock that Mr John Brown, the owner of the Pelawmain and Richmond mine collieries, visited the fields during the week-end and declared that if the militants could be subdued the trouble would be over in a fortnight.

The 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 an actual withdrawal is ordered an effort will be made to persuade the men to accept the work offering.

, The present figures are that 1650 miners are receiving the dole weekly, the cost of which is £l3OO. There are also 3000 families on the coalfields drawing an endowment at an average of £3B yearly per family. HIGH HOPES FOR PEACE GOVERNMENT RENEWS SUBSIDY OFFER. (Rec. 10.10 p.m.) Sydney, February 5. The coal conversations between the Prime Minister and the Premier have been suspended till the week-end. High hopes are entertained in Federal political circles that peace in the coal industry is imminent. The Commonwealth Government has renewed its offer of ninepence per ton in wages, either to the owners or miners, pending further examination of the rates which the industry can afford to pay. Certain objections have been made to this offer byMr Bavin as well -as the Owners. Mr Bavin objects to the taxpayers being saddled with a coal subsidy twice over, since he is also expected to reduce the freight and handling charges which amounts to a loss of revenue. While the owners are opposed to a patched peace, the Prime Minister insists it would be better that these terms be accepted than allow the industry to be ruined.