THE MINER.

Feilding Star, Volume IV, Issue IV, 3 December 1909, Page 2

THE MINER.

— ->— —— ■ NO SIGNS OF A SETTLEMENT. JAPANESE COAL. AN INDUSTIUAL CATACLYSM. BY BLBCTKIO SUBGRAPH — UOPYRI«HT. PER PRESS ASSOCIATION. Sydney, December 2. Mv Learmonth, Chairman of the Aortiiern Collieries Proprietors' Asso ciatioii, saw Premier Wade this morning. Subsequently a Cabinet meeting was held at Air Wade's residence, but nothing has been divulged as to the progress of negotiations for bringing the parties together or the Government's intentions in the event of failure. It is believed that the probabilty of the jJaTffoes coming together is not promising. The Strike Congress considered the request of the P. and! O. Co. for coal lumpers of the Union to discharge 6000 tons of Japanese coal whi«jh arrived to-day by the steamer Palermo, and is intended for 'the Company's mail liners. Late to-night it was announced that the coal lumpers would work the coal. (Received December 3, 10.15 a.m.) Sydney, December 3. The Labour Party caucus has for- j mulated a proposal for tho settlement of the strike. The nature of the proposal is being kept secret. It will be submitted to the Strike Congress to-day. Premier Wade's interview with Messrs Learmonth and Hughes having proved fruitless, action will be taken 'by the Government to-day ■fc'o -appoint a board under the Industrial Disputes Act to deal with the troxible. Although tlie Strike Congress decided that the P\ and O. Co.'s coal should be handled, the Coal Lumpers' Union is not altogether satisfied, holding that the importation of coal is a blow at the southern mines, which have a. contract to supply the P. and O. Co.'s steamers. . Mr Hughes states that the situation is critical. Everything depends upon the next twenty-Four hours whether the declaration will be for a settlement of a great industrial cataclysm. Melbourne, December 3. - There are 3000 men idle through the strike and as many more working short time. Westport, December 3. The Exeontive of the Miners' Federation meet* next week, either at Westport on Monday or at Wellington on Wednesday, to discuss the state of tlio minors' strike. Mines m this district continue to be busy.