"WADE'S NEW ACT."

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7023, 11 January 1910, Page 5

"WADE'S NEW ACT."

MOBE DENUNCIATION STRONG LANGUAGE USED AT NEWCASTLE. A PROTEST BY THE DEAN. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright ' SYDNEY, January 10. At a mass meeting of Newcastle miners strong speeches were made against Mr Wade's new Act and the prosecution of the union, leaders. One speaker advised that if it were necessary to get arms or to take Sir Wade out and shoot him then he would do it. The Dean of Newcastle, the Rev. O. H. Golding Bird, amid a storm of interruption, mounted the platform, and protested that the speakers did not represent the thinking portion of the people of the district. Such speeches, he said, justified the Government in taking legal action. WAGES BOAKD MEETS A FURTHER. ADJOURNMENT. (Received January 10, 10.40 p.m.) SYDNEY, 'January 10. The Compulsory Wages Board resumed its sittings at Newcastle today. Mr Peter Bowling said that since the previous sitting, three weeks ago, events had occurred and summonses had been issued.. These developments had distracted, and perhaps incensed the minds of the miners and prevented them coming to a decision on the question whether they would bo'represented on the Board. He also again raised . the question of the Board's jurisdiction. The chairman ruled that the Beard had jurisdiction. .Mr Bowling then asked for time for the. Miners Federation to consider the chairman's ruling. The request, was granted, and the Boaird adjourned till the- 24th inst. THE .DEAN AND THE MEN Tho Dean of Newcastle has faced the miners before. On December 4th ho took part in a mass meeting at Newcastle, attended by 10,000—the largest gathering ever held in tho city—and on rising to speak was received with mingled cheers and hoots, but the latter were quickly subdued. "Fellow working men " he began, " you have been called ' gentlemen' so often this evening that I will call vou by a. more honourable name." Continuing, ho said that ho had been accused of saying that the miners collectively were often very combative, surely that was proved by this very meeting All of them had said that they were out to fight. He was with the miners when they made a just claim every time, and ho could absolutely sympathise with them in their attempts to better their condition. ' He was not saying that thoy were ri;pt or wrong. A Voice: You are one-sided. Tho Dean: lam one-Bided all the time —on tho side of justice. (Applause.) I do say this absolutely from my soul, that, you men, if you allow anybody to •tell vou to take the law into your own hand's, that you may smash shop-win-dows, that you may take bread—(dis order and cries of "It was, never said, j The Doan: "It was said; and I tell you lionestlv, that when these .men tell you that they are not your friends. I did refer to Mr Peter Bowling, and 1 am swiTv he is not here. If it is true, that he has said those things why has not tho Government arrested him:' My theologv teaches this: If you want to get canonisation there are many ways of getting it. One of the shortest and most direct ways is martyrdom; but the Government is so fond of Mr Bowling as plain Peter.that they don't want to make him 'St. Peter.' (Cheers and laughter.) Mr Bowling is as much entitled to his opinion as I am to mine, but I hone ho will consider that I am in the right in saying to your faces what other people are saying behind your backs. (Disorder and cheers.) I want to see this terrible strike come to an end; there are hundreds and thousands involved in vour dispute that are not connected with the mining industry. ■ (A Voice: ' Why don't they give us an open conference?') Yes. I. am coming to that. I agree with you. (Disorder.) I say sincerelv, that if you could meet the owners face to face perhaps you would not be quit© so harsh in your attitude towards them. 1 believe that there is one power only that can really make both sides one, and that is the brotherhood of man." PBESS ASSOCIATION. WESTPORT, January 10. The Granity Coalminers' Union voted .£l5O to the Newcastle Miners' Strike Fund, in addition to the one shilling per week levied by the Miners' Federation,