GREAT COAL STRIKE.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 14058, 16 November 1909, Page 5

GREAT COAL STRIKE.

SATURDAY'S CONFERENCE. GENERAL STRIKE FORECASTED. iFicss Aseociation-By Telegraph-Copyright SYDNEY, Nov. 10. The "Sydney Morning Herald" says it is known that alternatives to a general strike were proposed at Saturday's conference, hut failed. Tho situation appears to bo this. Tho seamen were not in favour of an immediate strike. Therefore it was determined to ascertain whether the waterside workers would strike or whether, if they did not, others would join them. The. waterside workers meet this evening prior to the reassembling of the conference. The "Herald" adds that the waterside workers throughout Australia will most certainly leave work to-morrow. The Broken Hill miners are also determined to strike if the waterside workers come out. All the western collieries are idle. The northern proprietors have decided to pay up the men's back money. This amounts to about £20,000. A NEW DEVELOPMENT. AYATERSIDE WORKERS SENSIBLE. Received 5.5 p.m., Nov. 15th. SYDNEY, Nov. 15. A new development occurred this morning when tho waterside workers carried a resolution reposing confidence iiv their own executive in connection witJi the strike, an amendment that they should abide by the decision of tho delegates to the conference which has been sitting during the past day or two being negatived. Simultaneous meetings of the waterside workers will bo held in all the States to formulate common action, thus thoro will be no extension of the strike for a few days at any rate. WATERSIDE AVORKERS RESUME DUTY.

A STRIKE LEVY. Received 10.5 p.m., Nov. loth. SYDNEY, Nov. 1.5. The mass meeting of Waterside workers after rejecting an amendment in favour of abiding by any decision that Saturday's adjourned strike conference may arrivo at, carried a resolution expressing confidence in the Waterside "Workers' Federation Executive, and agreeing to the men being called out when that body thinks fit. This resolution was reported to the strike conference, whicb reassembled this afternoon, the waterside workers meantime resuming work. Tho Brokcnhill combined unions have recommended a. levy of 5s a fortnight for the coal miners' strike fund. THE SITUATION RELIEVED. AN OFFICIAL STATEMENT. Received 12.20 a.m., Nov. 16th. SYDNEY, Nov. 15. Tho decision of tho striko conference to defer a general strike until another effort is made to reach a settlement has relieved an anxious situation. When tho conference adjourned tonight Mr Hughes, the president of the Waterside Workers' Union, made an official statement to the effect that the replies from all branches of the waterside workers of the federation had been favourable to carrying into effect tho resolution passed at Tuesday's conference, and it remained only for to-day's conference to recommend that action should be taken. Details were fully discussed and a determination was reached. satisfactory to both, tho seamen whoso position in some respects is different to that of other watorsidc workers and tho allied unions. Everything wajs in readiness to givo effect to Tuesday's decision. The conference, however, was desirous of a. peaceful and speedy settlement, and was not despairing thereof, in spite of the mine owners' refusal of the men's reasonable requests. It was very anxious to do everything possible to prevent tho dispute extending any further and enabling the parties to como together for a peaceful settlement. The result of the deliberations was tho adoption of tho following resolution : " That wo uso every legitimate moans to bring about an open conference between the mine-owners and tho men; failing this, wo will call upon the Government to take , over and work the mines in the interest of the general community." Mr Hughes pointed out that this will givo Mr Wade (tho Premier) an opportunity of taking action, which lie declared his Government .was ready to take. The conference meets again to-mor-row afternoon. Mr Hughes stated that in tho event of negotiations failing, all was in readiness for tho call to a general strike. He denied the rumours that the seamen were opposed to a, strike; they were ready and anxious to come out. VIEWS FROM AUCKLAND. FOR AND AGAINST. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Nov. 15. There is very little danger at the present time of'the New Zealand coalmiuers no-operating with the Newcastle men to tho extent of striking. The attitude of the miners of the Dominion is one of passivo sympathy, no more. These facts were made clear to a. "Herald" representative to-day bv Mr R. Manning, general •secretary of the New Zealand Miners' Federation. " Tho only danger of us to go out would be in the event of New Zealand mine-owners attempting to ship coal to Newcastle," said Mr Manning." If no coal is exported from hero the Dominion miners are not likely to strike. J consider that there is very little possibility of any such occurrence." Mr Manning stated that the New Zealand Federation had sent the following cable message to the New South Wales' Miners' Federation signed bv the president (Mr R. Semple), and himself: "The New Zealand Miners' Federation unanimously tenders its sympathy and assures its financial support."

It was only in the matter of monetary assistance, which by the 'way'had not yet been sought, Air Manning pointed out, that the New Zealand miners were prepared to give active support to the .Newcastle men. Nothing was likely to bo clone here to hamper the New Nealand trade. Asked as to the chances of.the price of coal being raised to local consumers Mr Manning remarked that in the light of past experience, he considered the price of coal was almost certain to go up. He thought the- very fact that Newcastle, coal had to be imported into the Auckland province, pointed to the likelihood of an increase in rates now that that source of suppi v was cut off. 'ln this view Mr AV. D. Hoi gate, managing director of the Northern Coal Comnany, differed from Mr Manning. Mr Holgate, speaking with regard to the importation of Newcastle coal, contended that there was no need for it. The Now Zealand mines could supply all demands if the consumers here would take their coal instead of Newsactlc, and it would he better for the mine-owners and consumers as well as for the New Zealand miners if they did so. In any case," added Mr Holgate, "there is no sign of any increase in the price of coal yet." DEMAND FOR COAL. AVESTPORT, Nov. To. The Newcastle strike has produced an increased demand for AVcstport coal.. The AVestporfc Coal Coy., has orders for fourteen thousand tons this week, and is putting on a double .shift at the Millerton mine. The Railway Department is making big demands on the company. The Union company has ordered the week's output of the Stockburn Company. The SecTdonville .State mines and both the AVesporfc Coal and Stockburn Company are advertising for additional men.