AUSTRALIA’S COAL DISPUTE.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18518, 15 March 1930, Page 17 (Supplement)

AUSTRALIA’S COAL DISPUTE.

High Hopes Of Settlement. MEN RESPOND TO CALL. (United Press Association —By Electrlo Telegraph—Copyright.) SYDNEY, March 14. It is reported that there has been a fair response to the owners’ offer to man the mines. It is unofficially stated that between 200 and 300 Aberdare miners answered the call for labour at the reduced wages. These men, who were cavilled out of their positions three years ago, have been idle ever since. The owners are thus assured of a nucleus of experienced miners for the re-opening of the pits.

News from Cessnock states that all is quiet on the coalfields. The men have made no response to the call to return to work, and Federation officials are quite confident that they will not do so.

The actual response to the coal owners’ appeal for miners for the idle pits will not be known for a few days, as applications are required to be in writing. Mr D. J. Davies, secretary of the Miners’ Federation, stated yesterday that he was convinced that few, if any, members of his organisation would break away from their undertaking to decline work, except at pre-stoppage rates of pay.

STEADY STREAM OF APPLICATIONS. STATEMENT BY OWNERS. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) (Received March 14, 9.30 p.m.) SYDNEY, March 14. A steady volume of applications in writing are being received by the colliery proprietors from former employees, also from the unemployed. A number of personal applications are being made at the city and coalfields’ offices. The owners are of opinion that the reluctance of many men to apply will disappear when they learn of the prospects of their old jobs going to others.