The Miners’ Strike.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 212, 23 October 1888, Page 2

The Miners’ Strike.

[rnOM OtTB OWN COH RESPONDENT.] Sydney, Oct. 10. The Newcastle strike has taken a turn for the worse. It was sedulously announced from day to day that the Mediation Committee were making good progress, and that a settlement was near at hand. The acceptance of the Stockton agreement was regarded as most encouraging, and it was hoped it set an example which would be generally followed. But Stockton, in accepting the agreement, withdrew from the Coal-owners' Association, thereby giving great umbrage. When the Mediation Committee signified their deem of interviewing the Masters' Association, the latter declined to see them, and held out, in very unmiatakeable language, a threat that they would seek for labor outside the present body of miners, unless the latter speedily same to terms. Some consider that thia is only “ bluff." Others aver that negotiations are already on foot by which sav«ral shiploads of European miners who have been accustomed to very low wages indeed, are to be landed within a few weeks. Meanwhile, we can only await further developments. The number of mines which have gone to work, have somewhat relieved the coal famine. In fact, such a stimulus has been given to production, that it seems almost certain that when the mines do get to work again, the price of coal will be very much lower than it baa been. If so, miners' Wages, and ihareholdera’ dividends will alike suffer.