STRIKE OF THE NEWCASTLE COLLIERS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8274, 21 September 1888, Page 2

STRIKE OF THE NEWCASTLE COLLIERS.

The: strike among the colliers in the Northern district continues, eiys the Sydney Morning Herali, ana the outlook is indeed gloomy. Efforts at conciliation havo been made, and the masters and miners havo met in conference, but the end of the conflict saoms very far distant. Throughout the dispute the masters have Bhown themselves to be anxious to coaciliite tho meo, thny havo conceded all that has been asked of them by tbo rrediitors; but judging froii the present nttilulo of tho iucu it won 1 1 appear Unit th *y decline nny compromise and euy ia utt'eot Ihit the masters mu3t accept the t< rt.-n thfy offer or the struggle will co innc. Tbe Greta Colliery Company have been miking Krmit efforts to load some of the c<mi which has been sold, but as reguhrly as ihey secure'! the services of labourers lo do tho work so they were bought off or induced under th:eats to cease work. The uiitnuirer iv Sydney advertised for men, mid tho applicanta were very numerous. The first contingent of those so engaged at ;;ood wages were placed upon tbe steamer Newcastle, and they arrived at daylight. The unionists in Sydney learned of tbe move, and two . of their number were sent with the men in tho steamer in order to prvcrt them going to tbe mine. When the men stepped they were met with storms of h : .ssos and groans, but they took it vary coolly and marched in company of tho armed police to tho railway Btation. At the Greta railway station the excitement was just as great as it was at Newcastle, for the miners evidently expected something of the kind, und they rolled up in large numbers. Whon they had satisfied themselves tnat the men tefased to concede to their wishes, they returned to the township, gave the alarm, and miners were seen colleotiug from all partb of tho thriving little township. The men went to work without' interruption at first, but at last intimidation was re sorted to by the desperate and dangerous method of throwing coal and half-bricks at the men. Fearing injury, five of tbe men threw down their Bhoyels, and the miners showed their appreciation of this stop by cheers, and doubly vicious groans tor tho other men, who stuck boldly to their broad-bladed coal implements. The proprietor of tho colliery despatched a messenger to Inspector Brennan, at Newcastle, and Sub-Inspector Lynch wob quickly on tbe scene with a dozon constables. 13 3 fore their arrival the miners contrived to slip the lynch-pin of one of the full trucks, and thus ran 6 tons af coal over the rail wuy lino. Another instance of disgraceful conduct was given in the way in which a young man at Newcastle, named Ga>nor, was set upon by auab of n j;hs. In order to get away from them be ran among the empty truoks, but his pursuers followed hia^with euch determination that he was compelled to seek protection in &n office. They yelled after him in tho chuHo like a pack of hounds, and surrounded the office. Tbe police oauie np after a while and took Gay nor safely to the city watehhouso. Tho mob still followed, and even waited a considerable time outside the police station in a' most defiant manner. Ho told the strikerß that be was in want of moaey. and offered to cease if they paid his day's wages. This they refused. Boycotting is gcncrul in the district, the shopkeepers being thr«&tttvjd wi'htbo losa ot custom if they serve the " blackings," and ] d^inghouao-keepors are nut allowed to give tho non-union men accommodation.