LABOR IN AUSTRALIA.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 283, 22 April 1913, Page 5

LABOR IN AUSTRALIA.

STRIKE DEVELOPMENTS,

By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Sydney, April 21.

There is a new development in the coal strike. A secret conference of representatives of the northern and southern coal miners and Newcastle coal trimmers was held on Saturday night. It is rumored that as the result the coal from the Minmi pits may be declared "black," and action be taken to stop south coast colliers carrying Newcastle coal. The Newcastle Delegate Board to-day will discuss these questions.

After the meeting Peter Bowling declared that the position could not stay as it was. He knew the feeling among the north and also the western miners was that they were inclined to cease work. The tendency was for the trouble to spread and become more pronounced than ever.

The south coast strike is entering on the sixth week, and is no nearer a settlement. » The owners have returned the horses to the paddocks, and it is reported are prepared to keep the mines idle till August, when the present award expires. Over £50,000 has already been lost in wages, and the trade of the whole district is paralysed.

THE NEW AGREEMENT.

Sydney, April 21

The Broken Hill agreement provides that all the men shall be reinstated before five o'clock to-night, and that any reduction of wages, excepting by the Wages Board, shall be considered victimisation. The tramway has resumed its running, and supplies are reaching town.

A PROPOSED CONFERENCE.

THE STRIKE SPREADING.

It By. Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Recevid 21, 10.50 p.m. Sydney, April 21. t The Cabinet discussed the position of the coal trade and arranged with Mr. ' Carmichael on Wednesday to receive a delegation of representatives of the Northern and Southern miners, coal trimmers, coal lumpers and seamen. There is an uneasy feeling over the combined action and the possibility of the strike extending to the Waterside Workers' and other unions.

A LODGE EXPELLED.

Received 21, 9.10 p.m,

By Cable—Press Association —Copyright, Sydney, April 21.

The Northern Miners' Delegate Board resolved to expel the Minmi Lodge from the Miners' Federation. The decision was .the outcome of the Minmi miners entering into an agreement with the proprietors of the mine against the desire of the Federation, and means that Minmi coal is declared "black," and will not be handled by unionist coal lumper?.

THE EIGHT-HOUR CELEBRATION,

Received 21, 9.10 p.m. Melbourne, April 21,

There was fine weather for Uie annual eight-hour celebrations. One hundred and forty unions participated in the display. Groat crowds witnessed the procession which took an hour and a half to pass a given point. Included in \»he display were several tableaux urging the electors to vote for a referenda and depicted the employers bowing before the workers if it was carried.

TiIE MINMI MEN

Received 22, 12.25 a.m.

Sydney, April 21.

The delegates state, that the expulsion, of Minmi men requires the miners' lodges' endorsement before it is effective. It. is unlikely that steps will be taken to boycott Minmi coal until this is obtained.