HOPES OF PEACE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7047, 8 February 1910, Page 1

HOPES OF PEACE

IN COAL STRIKE NORTHERN MEN TO BALLOT ON QUESTION. OPINIONS DIFFER. By Tclegrapn—Press Association—Copyright. (Received February 7, 10.30 p.m.) SYDNEY, February 7.

The Southern miners decided to leave the settlement of tho coal strike in tho hands of the Amalgamated Council, which met to-night and had a protracted discussion upon the position.

Two resolutions were dealt with, the first being lost and the second carried.

The first resolution was moved by Air Dunleavy and seconded by Air ■Waugh (Southern miners’ representatives), in favour '* of-I the Northern miners resuming work on the 14tIV instant. This was lost by three votes to two, both the Northern and ths Western representatives voting against it. Tho second resolution was moved by Air Peters and seconded by Air Allison (Northern representatives), to effect that the men in th© Northern ' district he asked to ballot upon the acceptance of the Wages Board or an open conference simultaneously with the resumption of wolrk, tho result to be known not later than Saturday night next, and in the ©vent of the Wages Board being adopted resumption of work to take place in both the Northern and Southern districts as soon as possible. This was carried by three votes to two, tho Northern and Western representatives supporting it and the two Southern delegates opposing it. WESTERN ACTION CAUSES SURPRISE.

OWNERS PREPARED TO RESUME OPERATIONS. IMPORTANT DECISION EXPECTED The action of the Western delegates in voting against the Southern proposal for the resumption of work came as a surprise, as it was generally anticipated that they intended to support it. Horses had been brought in from the paddocks in the Wollongong district in readiness for the resumption of operations at various mines.

The Newcastle Miners’ Delegate /Board at a meeting to be held [tomorrow is expected to arrive at a decision which will have an important) bearing upon the settlement of the strike. TRIAL, OF STRIKE LEADERS. ■ The hearing of the conspiracy charges against Peter Bowling aaid the four others in connection with the Newcastle strike has been further postponed, owing to the continued illness of Brennan, one of the accused. AID FROM HUNTLY. PEEB3 ASSOCIATION-. AUCKLAND, February 7. ■ A meeting of coal-miners at Huntly, Mr Fulton, president of the Waikato Miners’- Union, presiding, passed a resolution expressing indignation at the Imprisonment of the Newcastle strike loaders. It was resolved to send AloO to the distressed miners in Australia.