Colonial News.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XX, 7 September 1861, Page 2

Colonial News.

NEW SOUTH WALES. STRIKE OF THE COLLIERS AT NEWCASTLE.

[From the Newcastle Chronicle, August 21.]

The "3trike" has new assumed such gigantic proportions, and affects so deeply the various interests, social and commercial, of this city and its surrounding district, that we have not the heart to devote our attention to any other or foreign subject till we make one mere effort to induce the opposing parties to come, or try to come, to a compromise. At this present moment the City of Newcastle presents one of the most melancholy sights that its greatest ill-wisher could desire. An army of fine stalwart men lounging about with hands in pocket and pipe in mouth, defiant but silently determined. Anxious mothers and innocent children also figure in this melancholy theatre. The harbour is a vast sheet of almost silent water, and the town presents an appearance of general gloom, dissatisfaction, and uneasiness, that is positively painful to behold.

The injury that has been done the port already by the coal proprietors, would, if put in figures, be something startling ; and, when we remember that the respectable and uninterfering inhabitants and traders of this city are deprived of the circulation of nearly five hundred pounds per day, we would not be surprised at a general demonstration taking place in support of the miners' cause. The speeches at the great meeting of the miners held on Monday, were characterized by that calmness, dignity, and dispassionate language, which is the inseparable accompaniment of a quiet and righteous cause. Rumours are rife to-day of very determined action on behalf of the mining population, touching their resolution to open two or three mines on the co-operative principle ; that this is practicable we have not the slightest doubt, and confess we are afraid to attempt to divine the future results of such combinations on time to come. It is a great pity colliery proprietors did not think of many of these things before. Viewing the question from another point of view, we would venture to ask, what would be the result of this strike, supposing it was carried out with the most intense obstinacy on both sides? To stimulate enterprise, and work into greater activity already existing coal fields, and thus detract from the long earned prosperity of Newcastle. That this would ultimately benefit the colonies we have not the shadow of a doubt ; but it seems the vilest, most stupid, and most unpardonable of reasoning, to do that at the expense of this harbour, which so remarkably deserves the cognomen of its ancient mother on the Tyne.

We learn, from unquestionable authority, that the miners haveishown every disposition to meet the requirements of the proprietors, and we cannot refrain from saying that their patience and disposition to conciliate stands out in marked contrast with the insolence and indiscretion of their would-be masters. We feel that we are using bitter and hostile language, but when we perceive the present and foresee the future loss and distress which the arrogant position that thesi proprietors have taken, will bring upon the prosperity of this city and its port, we are not disposed to regret one single word that we have written. It is not now too late for an equitable arrangement to be come to, and we would seriously regret that the obstinacy of either side should compel the history of this foolish quarrel to be blazoned over all the coalfields of Europe. We have before suggested an arbitration, once more we respectfully place the same proposition before both parlies. It is the only and suitable way to arrive at an equitable conclusion between man and man. The abstract question of the relative positions which capital and labour ought to bear to each other is quite beside the matter now on the tapis. The fact is glaringly apparent, that labour is immensely in the ascendant, else why don't the proprietors go on with the various works? Because they can't, and, therefore, as a natural corollary, are compelled to acknowledge themselves beaten. It is a fatal mistake for people that have money to wield, to imagine that they can do so here with the same overbearing tyranny which marks the home employer. The man, or body of men, who attempt that in the Australias, for the present, will, as assuredly as they venture on the experiment, to use a fast exprestsiou, come to grief. This subject might be dealt with to almost any extent, but we do not think it necessary, nor do we deem it advisable to go further. We have now done our duty to tbe city, its inhabitants, and those of the environs thereof, and shall silently await the issue of events.