THE COAL DIFFICULTY.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1262, 7 May 1896, Page 38

THE COAL DIFFICULTY.

Mr Brown, proprietor of theNewLambton Colliery (N.S.W), offers to resume work at once, and pay a hewing rate of 3s Gd. It is expected that the offer will be accepted. This mine, working night and day, can employ GOO hands. The miners at Newcastle now insist on an additional increase to 3s Gd, and that the terms of the 1888 agreement regarding the standard height of seam, and also as to refuse, scale, &c, must bo conceded them. Prior to the strike, Newcastle coal was selling in Molbourno at 15s Gd per ton at the wharf and 18s delivered. The price has jiow been raised to .£1 Oa Gd at the wharf and 22s Gd delivered, while the suburban retail price is £2 per ton. Victorian coal las advanced from lis 6d per ton at the trucks and 17s Gd delivered, to 15s and 21s respectively. *ln two of the colleries, the men start work at an advanced hewing rate.

Soveral firms in Sydnoy havosecoded from the Hoot Manufacturers' Association, and having guaranteed to uphold the existing Btatement tho employees are returning to ■work. , Ton thousand men engaged in tho london building trado have struck for liigher wages. May Day passed off quiotly all over Europe, except at Vienna, whore the cavalry had to clear the Prater of a disorderly mob, and fifteen of tho rioters •wero wounded. At a meeting of tho Wellington Furniture Trado Union, tho rules forwardod from tho Registrar of Friendly Societies were adopted. A now management committeo was appointed, consisting of delegates from the Jurnituro shops in tho city. It was decided to inaugurate tho Union with a supper. Messrs H. Warner and D. P. Fisher returned thanks to tho Union for having votod for them in the election of a Board of Conciliation, and for reorganising tho Union. It was decided to affiliate with tho federation of the unaffiliated unions.