AN OFFER OF COAL TO THE GOVERNMENT.

Press, Volume V, Issue 13598, 6 December 1909, Page 7

AN OFFER OF COAL TO THE GOVERNMENT.

SYDNEY, December 4. Mr Bowling informed an interviewer that he was not surprised that the coal lumpers refused to handle the Palermo's coal. He did not think any self-respecting unionist would handle "scab" coal. W"hen Mr Hughes heard of Mr Bowling's statement, he gave his views to the Press. He declared that Mr Bowling's attitude was different from that which he assumed at the strike congress. He must decline to permit Mr Bowling or any other man to run with the hare and hunt with the hounds. Mr Bowling voted for the resolution in favour of the coal being handled, and even offered to go to the coal lumpers and tell them to handle it. Mr Wade has issued a statement showing that the Bullambi Coal Company has offered the Railway Commissioners 7000 tons at Ya_s at the price prevailing before the strike. Tho offer has been accepted, and the Premier has commended this public spirited action to other owners. Mr Wad© added that if the private j owners attempted to exploit the public the Government would step in and secure coal from any source to checkmate any attempt to bleed tho community. The electric lighting of Sydney can be maintained till January 10th, but the gas lighting will cease in eleven days. Municipal authorities are. • fitting lamps to burn kerosene, and the Railway Commissioners are fitting several locomotives to take oil fuel. ADELAIDE, December 4. Another French ship has arrived with Welsh coal as ballast. IX>NDON, December 3. The steamer Devonshire is loading 5000 tons of Tyne steamer coal, and halt a dozen other steamers are being fixed for Australia.