STRIKE OF MINERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9142, 25 August 1888, Page 5

STRIKE OF MINERS.

THE MEN OUT.

NEGOTIATIONS TERMINATED.

SITUATION IN OTHER

COLONIES..

SIR H. PARRES ON THE

DIFFICULTY. [press ASSOCIATION.J

Newcastle, August 24. A ballot of the miners was taken today to decide whether a week's extension of time should be granted to the masters for further negotiations, and the question was determined in the negative. Thereupon the miners belonging ,to the different societies were instructed to bring out their, tools at the close of their day's work. It is reported here that three thousand English miners have been cabled for. Later. All the collieries ceased work at four o'clock this afternoon. Great excitement prevails in the district. Everything is settling down quietly at the mines. The men cheered lustily as they went out. Sydney, August 24. It is not anticipated that there will be a coal famine here in consequence of the strike, although the price of coal must increase. As showing the pay the men received a fortnightly pay-sheet picked out at random gives the highest amount earned at 22s per day per man, and the lowest amount earned at 9s 9d. Several vessels which were to load at Newcastle are already laid up owing to the strike. Melbourne, August 24. - Great regret is generally expressed at the coal strike at Newcastle. The officers and crews of two colliers have already received notice that their services will be no longer required, and other colliers will be laid up shortly. Adelaide, August 24. The coal stocks have been largely increased during the past two weeks in anticipation of the strike, and it is hoped that the city will be able to tide over the difficulty. The coal merchants have suspended all contracts for the supply of coal, and the price has been raised. A number of factories intend to suspend operations during the strike, owing to the increased cost of working through the rise in the price of coal, and the hands will be discharged., The Railway Department secured several thousand tons of coal, and also obtained large supplies of wood. Sydney, August 24. Sir Henry Parkes, in addressing a meeting at Singleton, regretted that there appeared to be every chance of a strike among the coal-miners ; and he expressed the opinion that the fault lay as much with the masters as the men. The former, he considered, had acted unwisely, and without tact or discrimination, and should have taken every step to prevent a strike consistent with dignity. The labour difficulties afforded splendid evidence that men in the colonies were in a much better position than their fellow-workmen in other parts of the world, when they could afford on such trifling pretences, to set defiance to capital. NEW ZEALAND COAL. EXPECTED ADVANCE IN PRICE. Wellington, Friday. It is stated that in consequence of the great demand for coal in Australia, the price will shortly be raised by two shillings per ton.