NEWCASTLE STRIKES.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 68, 19 March 1908, Page 5

NEWCASTLE STRIKES.

OPPOSED BY FEDERATION. MINERS THREATENED WITH EXPULSION. (By Cable.—Press Association.— Copyrlglit.) (Received 9,32 a.m.) SYDNEY, this day. A strike of clippers at the Pelaw Main and of wheelers at the Back Creek mines have rendered both pits idle. Strikes are now in progress in four pits. As a result of the stoppages the sittings of the Special Mining Court have been brought to a standstill.

The Miners' Federation has decided to adopt more stern methods of dealing with those hasty and ill-advised strikes on the part of various sections of colliery and has adopted a resolution calling on the strikers to resume work immediately. Failing this they will be expelled from the Federation. They also call upon the lodges concerned to use every effort to keep the respective pits going.

The resolution adds: "We think the time has arrived when each lodge should realise its responsibility and force its members to keep within the constitution of the Federation.

THE SYDNEY SITUATION.

AN UNCERTAIN ISSUE. MR. HUGHES' WARNING. (Received 10.36 a.m.) SYDNEY, this day. Strike matters are still very unsettled. The Ship-painters and Dockers' Union has decided not to work any steamers of the three coastal companies. The Masters and Engineers' Association also decided not to handle any cargo for transhipment from coastal companies while the dispute laste. The Wharf Labourers' Union discussed the stevedores' proposals for dealing with cargo, and agreed to the transhipment of cargo lying at the deepsea wharves (but not including cargo which has been left by coastal boats) after 12 next Sunday night, when it is to be handled without reference to where it came from.

Mr. Hughes states that the Wharf Labourers' Union has discussed Mr. Wade's arbitration proposals and has decided to support the executive in refusing to offer a special sitting of the Arbitration Court to hear an application by the Registrar for directions in regard to the strike. The application sets out the facts that led up to the trouble.

The President pointed out that the Wharf Labourers' Union was not an industrial union, and the Court could not compel it to file a claim if it refused to do so. He directed the union to file a claim within seven da vs.

Mr. Hughes declares that an attempt is being made to thrust arbitration upon the union to make the union give its case away. Come what might, ho was determined to see the thing through rather than to do that. If they attempted to persist there would be serious trouble in a few days.