THE COLLIERY STRIKE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14686, 20 November 1909, Page 7

THE COLLIERY STRIKE

WORKERS RAISING FIGHTING FUNDS. TWO COLLIERIES TO BE WORKED. CONFERENCE POSTPONED. , Press Association—By Teicgraph—Copyright, SYDNEY, November 19. An agreement has been drawn up for working two collieries by the miners in conjunction with their owners, who are outside the vend. A few minor points remain to be settled, but operations may be commenced on Monday. CONFERENCE ARRANGED FOR TO-DAY. PROPOSED BALLOT. - SYDNEY, November 19. (Received .Nov. 19, at 9 p.m.) The, conference between Mr Wade'and! the strike delegates did not take place.' to-day. Mr Hughes received a letter from .Mr Wade expressing disappointment that medical advice prevented him from seeing the dele-gate to-day,, but firing the meeting for to-morrow. - Mr Wade suggests that the opinion of the miners in the different districts be taken as to whether they are agreeable to accept his proposals, adding that a, ballot on the question would give a true indication uf the opinions of the persons most' vitally concerned. A meeting of the northern colliery proprietors at Newcastle accepted Mr Wade's ■■ proposal that they should consent to meet tlio men in conference simultaneous with the; resumption of work. The proprietor! add a proviso that in.the event of the conference not arriving at a settlement the whole question in dispute be referred ■ for adjudication under the Industrial Disputes Act. f

IMPORTS OF COAL, . ~' FREIGHT RAISED. LONDON, November 18. Coal is being hurried from Japan arid elsewhere to Australia. It is suggested that the mail boats leaving England take sufficient ■ coal'■ to enable them, by replenishing at to ■ run from' Ceylon to' Australia and back; •• ' .... ~t. ■ Owing to the strike the British-India Company has raised its weight and measurement freights to Brisbane by ss; and the Oii'ent S.S. Company from next week will raise : its measurement freights :.: to all Australian ports to 15s. ' ' ;' SHIPMENTS FROM ENGLAND. '.-..■.. LONDON, November 19. , i (Received Nov. 19, at 10.25 p.m.:., ' Several, cargoes of gas coail have been purchased at NewciiStle-on-Tyne for Anatralia at from 10s 6d to lis, with freight at 12s' 6d per ton. It is rumoured thait a syndicate ; is kiing formed at NWasMfe-on-Tyna to send' large shipments to Australia, and it is also reported .that Cardiff-is sending ccal to New South Wife. ; ' THE PRESENT POSITION. '••' MASS MEETING OF UNIONS'TO" "•• BE HELD.'' •.' ' SYDNEY, November 19. ' (Received Nov 19, at 11/55 p.m. , The secretary of tho Miners' Federation", • : referring to the northern proprietors' decision, declared that the miners would not.iiesunie work without an unconditional conference. They were not such fools, ' even if a conference were granted, to rush back without some guarantee that their grievances would be .redressed.

It ; s reported that the miners are willing, if the proprietors agree' upon a conference, to send sufficient men into the pits to thoroughly clean them and prepare them for a general resumption of work. T n the meantime the conferencewill have a chance to arrive at a basis of settlement on the main points in-dig- 1 put*.. ..■.■.•.'.■■-.'

; 'Annass meeting of the unions iiitoatad' will be hold at Newcastle' to-morrow.' to'' discuss (he situation.- ' .

: Owing to an' abnormal supply of firewood in '■ Sydney prices have slumped below the usual rates.

The Casablanca sailed from Newcastle for New Zealand to-day in ballast, m coal being, available , '

SUGGESTION OF SEAMEN'S STRIKE.

MEMBERS ASKED TO DECIDE.

A BALLOT TO BE TAKEN.

(Pm United Phess Association.) AUCKLAND, November 19. ■• A telegram was received by the local branch of the Seamen's Union, from the Union Executive in Dimedin to-day asking, if the seamen -engaged on the inter, colonial vessels would come out on strike if called upon, in sympathy with the Newcastle miners. ..

; TJip, officials decline to give any infdr-'' mation,•'but it is understood that, white some favoured a strike, the majority were against it.

"4; bktlot is to b 0 taken, commencing to-morrow. °