AUSTRALIAN COAL CRISIS.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LX, Issue 16824, 28 November 1916, Page 4

AUSTRALIAN COAL CRISIS.

CONFERENCE DEVELOPMENTS.

MR. HUGHES SPEAKS OUT.

MINERS RESERVING ANOTHER / CLAIM.

Received November 27, 8.30 p.m. MELBOURNE, November 27.

During Friday's cojJI conference, Mr. Hughes induced the miners' representatives to despatch telegrams to authorise the handling of coal for transports and the small arms factory. When the conference opened to-day Mr. Hughes stated that he had received advices that the men at Lithgow still refused to handle coal declared 'black." while certain men in the southern collieries had been forced to cease work. Such intimidation would delay settlement for some weeks. The miners' representative characterised the telegram as a put up job. Mr. Hughes replied: There aro many put-up jobs. Six weeks before the strike you told me if the "Yes" vote was carried at the Referendum the miners would not work. It is obvious that there is more in this business than meets the eye. The delegate denied the statement Mr.. Hughes said it was a coincidence that at a meeting called to discuss conscription, a coal strikn was hinted at. The strike occurred the very day it was forecasted. The president of the Miners' Federation practically confirmed the proprietors' fears that the men's full demands had not been disclosed. The president said the men could not continue at the present wages. They were prepared to meet the proprietors and discuss the question after the hours' dispute was settled and work resumed. Mr. Hughes adjourned the conference until Late in the afternoon to enable both sides to put all their cards on the table and prepare a sc»t of working conditions to hold good until after the war.