NEWCASTLE MINES' STRIKE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8981, 15 November 1907, Page 5

NEWCASTLE MINES' STRIKE.

DEVELOPMENTS NOT REASSUR ING. ADVANCE IN PRICE OF COAL. DISLOCATION OF TRADE. Received November 15, 10.'.53 a.m. SYDNEY, November 14. The only colliery not idle in the Newcastle district is Lambton, which is working on tribute. The latest developments are not of a reassuring character. The Miners' Committee carried a resolution appealing to the miners in the southern and western districts and all coal mining centres in the Commonwealth to in upholding the cause of unionism, and also to cable derails of the siluation tothe principal unions in England, America, New Zealand, and other centres, asking far sympathy and assistance. A further resolution was adopted, namely—"That in the event of no settlement being reached to-day, all members be called upon to cease work, and every constitutional effort be made to prevent the production of coal while the struggle lasts." The President of the Miners' Federation says the" resolutions do not mean that the federation does not desire a peaceful solution; it is quite prepared to come to a settlement on the lines suggested by the

Premier. The proprietors meet to-day to discuss the situation. The result is anxiously awaited. Efforts at mediation are being continued with a view to arranging a conference whereat Mr Wade (Premier) expressed his willingness to attend, if asked. '1 here is an enormous demand for coal in Sydney. An advance of 70 per cent: "on ordinary prices is paid for supplies. If the strike .continues dislocation of the ferry service is threatened. There is little more than a week's supply of coal in hand, and an economic service is being arranged. Tne failure of the coal supply will ' also be a serious blow to the iron founders, and will mean the throwing out of work of 2,000. The Gas Company and the railways have each a month's supply in stock. The visible supply of coal at Newcastle is only a few thousand tons. Fancy prices are being offered without finding sellers. Where possible, vessels are being diverted to other ports. Besides the miners, 900 trimmers and others 'engaged in loading have also been rendered idle. The attitude of the southern miners is being watched with interMount Kembla's decision to strike in sympathy is confirmed. Other lodges are to hold meetings. Delegates from the northern miners are visiting various lodges, seeking their support. It is announced that a secret agreement exists amongst the northern, southern, and western miners m regard to combined action in regard to a strike.

STEAMERS TO BE LAID UP. MILLS CLOSED DOWN FOR LACK OF COAL. A SUGGESTED MEDIATOR. Received November 15, 10.50 a.m. MELBOURNE, November 15. A meeting of steamship owners decided, in consequence of the trouble in Newcastle, to immediately lay up nineteen steam collier?, employing nearly 600 officers and men. SupDlies of coal are light, and if the strike continues interstate traffic will suffer. The Fyansford paper mills have closed for want of coal. It is suggested that Mr Deakin, Federal Premier, should ne asked to act as mediator.

RAILWAY REDUCING HANDS. PREMIER WILL APPOINT COMPULSORY TRIBUNAL. Received November 1?>, 1.3 a.m. SYDNEY, November 14. The railways are reducing hands at Newcastle owing to the strike. There is no truth in the statement that many of the southern collieries have struck. Mr Bowling, President of the Northern Miners' Federation, in the course of a speech, said that if there was to be a prolonged strike his advice to the men would be the same as given to the English dock labourers by Cardinal Manning that no man had a right to let his wife and children starve while they knew of a pound of food to satisfy their hunger. The Preimer his stated that if the owners and men did not come to a settlement to-morrow he would appoint a compulsory tribunal, and if necessary pass a bill at a sitting to confer the necessary power.

WILL NOT AFFECT NEW ZEALAND. WELLINGTON, November 14. Enquiry made in Wellington as to the extent to which New Zealand \yill be affected by the New South Wales coal strike elicited the statement that no dearth of -:oal will be experienced here. It is claimed that most of the mines could easily increase their output, and so compensate for the cessation of supplies from Newcastle. Lately, too, the Union Steamship Company has been bringing in big cargoes of coal from Newcastle, and it is stated that there are probably bigger reserves in New Zealand to-day than has been the cass for years past. The strike will net affect the intercolonial service carried on by the Union Company and the Huddart Parker steamers.

CABLE JMEWS.

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