NEWCASTLE CRISIS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 675, 27 November 1909, Page 5

NEWCASTLE CRISIS.

CO-OPERATIVE PLAN. A PROTEST AGAINST NON-HAULAGE. . ... ! " : v l BAJLWAYMBN MAY LEAVE. , IBjr Telccrttpii.-Prcsi /inaocl*tlon.-OoDyri*ht.l Sydney, November 26. •• Tho strike leaders ore indignant at tho action of the Railway Commissioners in prohibiting the haulage of coal except for railway purposes —a step that will operato against Mr., Bowling's sohemo for a strikers' co-operative . Mr. Hughes, president of ~ the . Watersido Workers' Union, claims that tiio action of the Railway Commissioners amounts to taking sides against the men, and that it will make harder tho task, of those' who want peace, not war. . It is rumoured that the Strike Congress; is considering the'question of oafling out tho railway men. The position is considered more sorious than at any previous time. The Strike Committee reports that funds aro coming in well. . .. ■ RAILWAY COMMISSIONERS EXPLAIN. ECONOMY MOTIVE. . (Eec. November. 27, 0.40 a.m.) <Sydney, Novomber 26. The Railway Commissioners state that it is inaccurate to say that, they refuse to haul coal. Wliat they decided to do was not to use up their stocks of coal in haulage of coal unless they were allowed to have first call on the supplies taken from the mines at a rfeasonablo price. • The Railway Commissioners have decided to curtail the railway and tram sorviccs owing to shortage of coal. ; - WOOL BUYERS HOLDING-OFF. (Rec. November 27, 0.50 a.m.) - i '. Sydney,. November 26. Tho • wool buyers iiave. decided to. refrain from purchasing at the wool sales, owing to the strike. ;■ . v • - GOVERNMENT MEDIATION. ..! ■■■ :, Sydney, November 26. , The Acting-Premier, Mr. Lee, has asked both sides, in the-strike-,to meet him on Saturday. It is considered very unlikely that tho meetings will have any result. The proprietors show no intention of ; departing, from the, position, thoy have taken up. SHRINKING SUPPLIES. Sydney, November 26. .-' Tho Gas Company has now only three weeks' supply of coal, and tho Water and Seworago Board'seven weeks'.- , -Preparations are being mado: to. materially curtail the country railway servicos. . . Tho steamor Kaitangata's orow will be paid off to-morrow, and tho vessel laid up. ■. ■ ■ • •