MINERS' BALLOT.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIX, Issue 12, 15 January 1910, Page 5

MINERS' BALLOT.

VERDICT OF NORTHERN LODGES BELIEVED HOSTILE TO WAGES BOARD. MR. BOWLING HAS A SCHEME. By Telegraph. — Press Association.— Copyright. (Received January 15, 9.40 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. Though the ballot of the Northern miners is not yet completed, it is known that the miners will reject the Wages Boai'd by an overwhelming majority. A belief is cm rent — strengthened by Mr. Bowling's reiterated assurance that a settlement is near — that when Mr. Bowling appears before the Industrial Court on Monday to present the result of the ballot, he will submit a scheme for the establishment of a Board of Conciliation. It now appears that the first shipment of imported coal will not reach Sydney till the 23rd inst. SOUTHERN MINERS' VOTING. ANTICIPATED RESULT. SYDNEY, 14th January. The Southern miners' ballot \vill be completed to-morrow. There is reason to believe ifc will favour acceptance of the Wages Board. LOADING OPERATIONS AT SYDNEY. NON-UNIONISTS ENGAGED. SYDNEY, 14th January. Non-unionists were engaged to-day loading the Peninsular and Oriental steamer Palermo. MR. HUGHES'S CAMPAIGN. , | an' inauspicious opening, rough-and-tumble fight. Mr. W. M. Hughes, M.H.R., who represents the less violent sectioa of the strikers, began an oratorical campaign in the Southern mining districts on j Thursday, 6th inst. The first meeting was at the Figtree mining centre, between Mount Keira and Mount Kembla. The heat was intense, and, as Mr. Hughes was late in arriving, the 'excitement of the crowd became worked up to fever pitch. Not only miners, but business people from all parts of the district, were present. Mr. Ilughes's motor broke down, at Biiill, and he had to lriake the remainder of the jpufney in a sulky. When fie did put, in aii appearance he was received witn cheers and groans. It was an open-air gathering, and there was a scene- ot great disorder. Mr. Dunjeavy, the president of the lHawarra ColUery Employees' Association, made an attempt to introduce Mr Hughes, and on each occasion his voice was drowned by a noisy section of the crowd. At last, after the intervention of Mr. Morgan, the general secretary, the disorder quietened somewhat, and Mr. Llunleilvy appealed to the miners lo clvo Mr. Hughes <t fair hearing. He intimated that it had been agreed by h large majority of tht miners' lodges to, take a ballot. The announcement was *eceived \vith cheers and groans, which were renewed when Mr. Hughes rose to speak. For a time Mr. Hughes could nob make himself heard, the din being deafening. Then titei-o was a lull, and Mr. Hughes was about to proceed, when a disturbance behind nun on the balcony occurred. It appears that Mr. Morgan was making his way towards a policeman to lequest .him to take steps lo quieten the troublesome interrupters. Mr. H. E. Holland was seated at the press table, and made a remark thafc ifc was a shame for Mr. Morgan . to interfere. Mr. Morgan hotly replied, and accused Mr. Holland of distributing scurrilous leaflets about the district, adding that if ho had his way he would throw Mr. Holland over the balcony, "That's more than you are able to do," said Mr. Holland, angrily. "Stand up,'' said Mr. Morgan. Mr. Holland accepted the challenge, and in the twinkling of an eye Mr. Morgan had landed his blow., Mr. Holland, a much smaller mnn, tackled his opponent) and in the struggle between, the combatants tables and chairs were sent flying. Meanwhile the crowd yelled, «nd patiaemonium reigned, ltlr. Morgan and Mf. Holland were in deadly earnest, and it took the services of .half a dozen men, including two plain-clothes police, to separate thuni. ' Order was at length obtainea, and Mr. Hughes made another effort to speak. He could say little, however, on account of the continual interruption. Questions were hurled at Mr. Hughes, who asked the questioners to "shut up/ and give him a chance. He ultimately was able to go on, and finished his address after much interruption. No resolution^ was passedj and che meeting closed 'with cheers for Labour.