The Coal Strike.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume VI, Issue 285, 17 November 1916, Page 6

The Coal Strike.

CONFERENCE AT MELBOURNE. A PROPOSAL BEING CONSIDERED. Melbourne, Nov. 16. Mr. Hughes, addressing the coal conference, said that unless they got coal the small arms factory would close on Saturday. Only SOO tons were available for transports and the wheat ships were due. Without wheat the war could not continue. The miners’ representatives repeated the demands, declaring that they were locked out. The proprietors said that the condition precedent to a settlement was that all the men should resume work at the same time. After a lengthy discussion Mr. Hughes proposed that the men should be recommended to resume immediately on condition that the Arbitration Court or a special tribunal should hear the case as soon as work was resumed, presumably on Monday. The conference adjourned till tomorrow io consider the proposal.

DRASTIC ACTION NECESSARY. INDUSTRY EVERYWHERE DISORGANISED. [AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSN.] (Received 17, 11.20 a.m.) Melbourne, Nov. 17. Mr. Jensen states that if the conference proves abortive drastic action will be necessary to coal the transports. The Government has already requisitioned the supplies of hydraulic power and gas companies.

SYDNEY GAS SUPPLY CURTAILED. GENERAL STRIKE SUGGESTED. (Received 17, 11.20 a.m.) Sydney, Nov. 17. In the Assembly Mr. Hall introduced a bill to curtail the supply of gas and electric power. He said he wanted it to pass all its stages in one sitting. The Opposition began a stonewall, but after two hours the closure was applied and the bill was proceeded with. Mr. Hall stated that about 1500 factories and 20,000 workers would be affected. The passing of the bill means that after Friday’ all theatres and picture shows depending on municipal supplies would close. It is proposed to cut off the gas supply from 9 o’clock to 5 o’clock daily. Walsh Island engineering works are closing on Tuesdav, rendering idle 12,000.

Government has requisitioned all coal held at the breweries. . A meeting of the Miners’ Delegate Board at Woolbongong carried a motion of general cessation from work of all allied trades in order to terminate the strike. BRISBANE IN DARKNESS. [avstkauan and n.z. cable assn.] (Received 17. 11.20 a.m.) Brisbane, Nov. 17. As the result of the strike South Brisbane is in darkness.