STRIKE MATTERS.

Manawatu Times, Volume LXV, Issue 1875, 20 March 1913, Page 2

STRIKE MATTERS.

AUSTRALIAN COAL MEN. SETTLEMENT POSSIBLE. Press Aesn—By Telegraph—Copyright Sydney, Yesterday. The whole of the South Coast mines are now idle. It is stated a considerable section of the men did not favour the strike, but irritation over police espionage at Saturday's meetings supplied the spark which united them. The miners declare they never heard of the police insisting on being present at the miners' meetings, and they fail to see why they should attend the men's gatherings. It is hoped that to-day's aggregate meeting will open a way for a settlement, otherwise it is likely that there will be serious developments. A deputation from the Southern Miners' Federation waited on Hon. Mr Carmichael, and submitted proposals that all the strikers return to work on condition that a special tribunal be appointed to decide the matter in dispute, both sides binding themselves to accept the decision, the matters discussed to be the dismissal of Russell and two other miners. Hon. Carmichael offered the services of the Industrial Registrar as intermediary. The Registrar confers with the masters to-day Messrs McGowen and Carmichael both declined the invitation to attend the aggregate meeting. London, Yesterday. The dockvardmen at Portsmouth are asking the Treasury to receive a deputation in connection with the increase of wages, otherwise they will convene a conference of all trade unionists in the Government employment in dockyard towns.