THE COAL DIFFICULTY.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1260, 23 April 1896, Page 30

THE COAL DIFFICULTY.

The Premier of New South Wales, AH Reid, has promised to use his utmost endeavours to bring about an amicable settlement- of the coal dispute in Newcastle. All the mine proprietors who previously refused to negotiate with the miners liavo now consented to do so, and a conference is assured. At a meeting of the miners’ delegates, it was decided to postpono notice of a strike for a week. Prior to deciding, the delegates wired to Air Reid, Premier, asking for definito information as to tho willingness of the proprietors to confer regarding tho difficulty. Air Reid replied that three large proprietors had voluntarily offered to negotiate for a settlement, and he was confident that others would act similarly. The Newcastle Lodge voting was 88 for and 00 against a week’s suspension of the strike notices.

In spite of the voting, a majority of the Sealiam and a number of Helton and Stockton miners went out on Saturday. Tho miners who struck work in tho Sealiam, Iletton and Stockton collieries, it has transpired, acted before the result of the voting on the question of the suspension of the strike notices for a week was known. It is understood they will he allowed to return to work pending the result of the Conference. All the mines excepting Sealiam are again working. Tho men employed in the latter mine were prepared to return to work, but tho wheelers demanded an immediate increase of Is per day, which was refused.

At a meeting of the Auckland Women's League, a resolution was carried that the League is in favour of a half-holiday for servants, and with tho object of obtaining that invites servants to become members of the league.

The Dunedin Trades and Labour Council have resolved tobringunderthe noticeof the Minister of Labour the manner in which information is obtained for the Labour Department report, and suggest that tho secretaries of unions ho asked to give information as well as employers. At the quarterly meeting of the Wellington Typographical Union on Saturday night at tho Kxchange Buildings, the president (Mr 11. C. Jones) gave a rcLumd of tho businoss transacted by the board of management during the quarter. Two resolutions, of which notice had been given at the previous meeting, were considered, the first, for tho abolition of quarterly meetings, being rejected, and tho second, providing for tho payment of <£7 10s out of the funds on the death of a member of three years’ stall ing, being referred to the hoard for their consideration. Ur Fisher was appointed ho fill a vacancy on the Trades Council caused by the resignation of Mr A. Grigg, and Mr W. A. Skinner was elected as a trade representative on t l >e hoard of management, vice Mr Venables, resigned. During the year 181)5 there were in (treat, Britain 772 labour disputes, affecting 243,500 persons, as compared with 10bl di.'-putefi in 1504. affecting 524.215 persons-a material falling off. iif these strikes2o per cent, were successful, 41 per cent, partly successful,and the rest either failed or the result is unknown; hut it is estimated that the great Alidland coal strike in 1803 cost the country no less than <£30,000,000.