COALMINERS' STRIKE.

Hastings Standard, Volume XIII, Issue 4338, 16 December 1909, Page 5

COALMINERS' STRIKE.

CABLE NEWS. United Pics Association —By Electnc Telegraph—Copyright

LEGISLATIVE ACTION. MR HUGHES' MISSION. SHIPS UNLOADING. Sydney, December 15. In the Legislative Assembly, Mr Wade gave notice to move to-morrow the suspension of the Standing Orders to permit the Industrial Disputes Amending Bill to pass all its stages in one day. This is taken as an earnest of the Government's intention to make the penal clauses of the Act more drastic. Mr i Hughes, after a long talk with Mi W 7 ade and a subsequent meeting with the Strike Congress, left for Newcastle.

Before leaving, he said that matters had reached a stage when something definite must be done and at a very early period- He was putting into effect what he conceived to be, not only the best but the only policy in the interests both of the men and the public. Time alone would show whether or not it would prove successful. It is believed that there are grounds for the persistent rumour that Mr Hughes' mission to Newcastle is to use his influence to persuade the Northern men to consent to the Southern miners resuming work. Some of the Northern delegates to the Strike Congress are accompanying Mr Hughes. The steamers Marmora, Dorset, Marloo, Palermo and Golava were working their cargoes to-day with their own hands and a few free labourers.

Unionist pickets watched the operations.

The police were present in considerable force, but their services were not required. There was no demonstration.

The Northern proprietors have replied to the Dean of Newcastle's suggestion for a truce. Thej r stated that, as the Government were now taking action, it was better to leave the settlement to the Government.

THE LEADERS IN COURT. HYSTERICAL CABLEGRAM. (Received 16, 9 5 a.m) Sydney, December 16 During the hearing of the cases against the strike leaders at Newcastle it was stated that the following cable sent to Mr Edward's, commoner, London, and to the Miners secretaries in Canada and Germany : "Thirteen thousand coal miners on strike, the employers refuse all overtures for a conference for redress of grievances. They mean to starve us into submission. Thirty thousand unionists are striking in support of the miners. Heavy financial .assistance is urgently required."

HUGHES AT NEWCASTLE A FIGHTING SPEECH Mr Hughes addressed a large meeting of miners last night and said he believed a condition of things had been created in Newcastle district which had become intolerable. He believed these conditions were deliberately created by the employers and believed the owners have wanted these mony months past just snch a struggle as the present one. and although they have been caught, so far as the day or the week was concerned, they had been deliberately bringing about fcuch a state of affairs. It was to their financial interest to precip. : tate such a crisis. Ke knew from a reliable source that it was the intention of employers not to bring about a settlement till February, but they denied it. He had not advocated a general strike, and never would. They were face to face with a Government that would do nothing for them. He was present to put down the ideals of the industrial workers of the world. He was for the cause of labour on a cjnstitutional basis. They were urging an equal fight because they had not a majority for the Labour Party in Parliament. There was nothing wrong with the gun of law. " For centuries you have had it turned against you and learned to despise it. Turn it round against the vend and elsewhere, and you will find nothing so effective as this gun of law." Pressure would be brought to bear on the vend, but he would not say how as that was part of the campaign