THE MINING STRIKE.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 858, 9 November 1916, Page 10

THE MINING STRIKE.

TROUBLE STILL SPREADS. LONG STRUGGLE AHEAD. •JS.v 'Cable. — Press Arssoaiatdon. — Copyright. SYDNEY, November 8. The coal strike is gradually extending its influence. Inter-Slate shipping will he dislocated unless the Government makes supplies available within the next few days, and sea-going traffic will practically cease. Every berth at Newcastle is occupied by steamers requiring coal. The majority of their crews have been paid off. The mine managers are prepared for a long struggle. They contend that it would be better to. close down the mines now than to grant the men's demands. The miners' officials have refused to declare all coal "black." The Navy Department is releasing supplies to meet urgent cases. The miners are continuing to bunker transports. A gang of railway men that was sent to Lithgow to load slack refused to handle it, and was paid off. The dislocation of shipping is causing a shortage of forage and grain, and prices are advancing rapidly. SUPPLIES FROM JAPAN. PROSPECTS NOT BRIGHT. (Received November !), '9.25 a;m.) SYDNEY, November 9. The coal agents are discussing the possibility of importing supplies from Japan, but it is understood that there is no surplus available. Owing to certain restrictions, the Japanese miners are finding employment in other spheres. A SERIOUS POSITION. WIDE-SPREAD TROUBLE. (Received November 9, 10.10 a.m.) SYDNEY, November 9.. The coal strike has rendered idle 25,000 workers in the State of New South Wales. So far 24 steamers have paid off their crews at Sydney, and many others are expected to follow in the next few days. Owing to the miners at Heathcote endeavouring to induce the railwaymen to join them, they were dispersed by armed police. The southern miners are holding meetings 'demanding the repeal off the war proclamation. MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE. IMPORTANT EVENTS AHEAD. (Received November 9, 10.10 a.m.) MELBOURNE, November 9. The N.S.W. Minister for Industry has held a conference with Messrs Hughes and Jensen (representing the Federal Cabinet). As a result important •developments in the coal strike are expected, before fhe end of the week.

IRON INDUSTRY. LITHGOW WORKS CLOSED. SYDNEY, November 9. The Lithgow iron works have closed down through want of coal.