COALMINERS' STRIKE.

Hastings Standard, Volume XIII, Issue 4312, 16 November 1909, Page 5

COALMINERS' STRIKE.

CABLE NEWS

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright

WATERSIDE WORKERS. AWAIT FEDERATION'S INSTRUCTIONS. Sydney, November 15 A new development occurred this morning when the waterside workers carried a resolution reposing confidence in their own executive in connection with the coal strike. An amendment that they should abide by the decision of the conference which has been sitting for the past dav or two was negatived. Simultaneous meetings of waterside workers will be held in all the States to formulate a scheme of common action. Thus there will be no extension of the strike for a few days at any rate. A mass meeting of the waterside workers, after rejecting an amendment in favour of abiding by any decision that Saturday's adjourned strike conference may arrive at, carried a resolution expressing confidence in the council of the Waterside Workers' Federation executive and agreeing to the men being called out when that body thinks fit. This resolution was appointed to the strike conference, which reassembled in the afternoon, the waterside workers in the meantime resuming work. THE STRIKE CONFERENCE. ATTEMPTS TO REACH A SETTLEMENT. Sydney, November 15. The decision of the strike conference to defer a general strike until another effort had been made to reach a settlement, has relieved an anxious situation. Mr Hughes stated that, in the event of negotiations failing all were in readiness to call a general strike. He denied the rumour that the seamen were opposed to the strike. They were ready and anxious to come out. When the conference adjourned to-night, Mr Hughes, President of the Waterside Workers' Union, made an official statement to the effect that the replies from all branches of the Waterside Workers' Federation had been favourable to carrying into effect the resolution passed at Tuesday's conference. It remained only : for to-day's conference to recommend that action should be taken. The result of the deliberations was the adoption of the following resolution :—" That we will use every legitimate means to bring about an open conference between the mineowners and the men, failing which we will call upon the Government to take over and work the mines in the interest of the general community." Mr Hughes pointed out that this would give Mr Wade an opportunity for taking action, which he declared his Government were ready to take. STRIKE FUND. The Broken Hill combined unions recommended a levy of 5s a fortnight for the coalminers' strike fund. ATTITUDE OF NEW ZEALAND COLLIERS. PER PRESS ASSOCIATION. Auckland, November \s. There is very little danger at the present time of New Zealand coalminers co-operating with the Newcastle men to the extent of striking The atti uJe of the miners of the Dominion is one of passive sympathy, no more. " The only danger of us deciding to go out would be in the event of New Zealand mineowners attempting to ship coal to Newcast'e," said Mr Manning "If no coal is exoorted from here, the Dominion miners are not likely to strike. I consider that there is very little possibility of any such occurrence." Mr Manning stated that the New Zealand Miners' Federation had sent the following cablegram to the New South Wales Miners' Federation, signed by the President (Mr R. Sem pie) and himself: —"The New Zealand Miners' Federation unanimously tenders its sympathy and assures its financial support." It was only in the matter of monetary assistance, which, by the way, had not yet been sought, Mr Manning pointed out, that New Zealand miners were prepared to give active support to the Newcastle men. Nothing was likely to be done here to hamper the New Zealand trade. DEMAND FOR COAL. Auckland, November 15 Asked as to the chance of the price of coal being raised to local consumers. Mr R. Manning, general secretary of the New Zealand Miners' Federation, remarked that, in the light of past experience, he considered the price of coal was almost certain logo up. He thought that the very fact that Newcastle coal had to be imported from Newcastle into the Auckland province pointed to the likelihood of an increase in rates now that that source of supply was cut off. In this view, Mr W. D. Holgate, managing director of the Northern Coal Company, differed from Mr Manning. Mr Holgate, speaking with regard to the importation of Newcastle coal, contended that there was no need for it. The New Zealand mines could supply all demands If consumers here wouW take their