MINING STRIKE.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1704, 22 March 1913, Page 5

MINING STRIKE.

OWNERS NOT YIELD^

DEMONSTRATION BY THE ' MINERS. '

BIG PRINCIPLE INVOLVED, By-Tolesrraph—Press AeaociaUon—Copyright Sydney, March 20. The aggregate meeting of the south coast miners who are on strike carried resolutions requesting JJr. M'Gowen to summon Parliament to "amend the Industrial Disputes and Coal Miners Aots so that , wo may bo relieved from the present tyranny and injustice of employers," and protesting against Mr. Waugh's appointment as an inspector, declaring that they will not agree to any grievance investigated by him. , Telegrams of sympathy were read from the gas men, waterside workers, coal lumpers, and northern miners. Strong fighting speeches were made by Mr. Peter Bowling and other leaders. Mr. Bowling declared that they did not want any other unions to come out, but that unionists in Australia and Now Zealand should help so that no woman or child should go hungry. .. •

Advices from. Newcastle indicate' that it is unlikely that the trouble will spread to the northern'coalfields. The' southern • colliery proprietors took up a determined attitude, at their meeting, and adopted a. resolution- notto discuss. any alleged grievances, on the ground that the employees had wantonly broken the award, which provides for fourteen days' notice. The proprietors state that they feci they represent in this matter the principle of obedienoe to law and contract, without which no civilised community,can hold together. Tho men must, return and recognise tho award, which is equally binding on employer and employee. The proprietors add that they now look to the Government to uphold the law. If awards and agreements are to be continually violated,' tho statute of compulsory arbitration will become a dead letter* and, be practically repealed by those for whose protection it was primarily enacted.