CABLE NEWS

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2241, 19 November 1907, Page 2

CABLE NEWS

N.S.W. COLLIERY STRIKE.

OUTLOOK MOREIIOPEFUL. PRICES AT FAMINE LEVEL. SHIPPING TRADE BECOMING DISLOCATED. INDUSTRIES AFFECTED. United Presa Aasociation —Copyright SYDNEY, November 18. Though the strike outlook is considered a iittlo more hopeful, the position is still very strained. The Chairman of the Proprietors’ Association states ! tliat tlio Association favors submitting the dispute to the State Arbitration Court. Ho sees no reason lor a specially-constituted court, as proposed by the Premier. Reports from southern and western districts indicate that the chances of a sympathetic strike are how more remote.

Coal in Sydney is quoted at £3 to £8 ss, and £4 for largo, and £2 Os to £2 15s for small.

Unless there is an early settlement, prices are likely to remain at famine level.

The shipping trade is becoming dislocated. Fifteen largo steamers are mow laid up, and the crews, numbering nearly 400, have been paid off. Fears of tlio partial failure of the inter-Stfito .service have led to considerable speculative buying of produce. Probably an outcome of the strike will' bo the closing of some flour mills and an advance in the price. The Union S.S. Company and Ilud-dlart-Parker Company notify that all faros to and from Sydney, Tasmania, and New Zealand ports have been increased.

MELBOURNE. November 18. As the result of the strike it is reported that tlio Government has purchased the Coal Creek Company’s mi no. Owing to the laying up of twenty steam colliers and other inter-State vessels, over 800 men have been rendered idle, besides several hundred coal lumpers. The Union Company lias informed tlio Postmaster-General that it is impossible to get coal for the steamer Moanaait Brisbane, and therefore the steamer will have to go direct to New Zealand. Till© department is inquiring into the mutter. Steamers plying on the lakes are forced to use wood for fuel. A firm in the city is keeping its works going by shavings from sawmills.

ADELAIDE, November 18. The Yalta and the Paramatta mines have closed down for want of coal. Other industries are being seriously affected. HOBART, November 18.

The shipping service is being curtailed owing to the scarcity of coal.

RESULT OF MEETINGS PROMISING.

(Received 1.8 a.m.; Nov. 19.) SYDNEY, Nov. 18. Meetings of proprietors and miners, lasting in each instance for several hours, discussed the Premier’s - proposals. Both sidesdecline to give information. Interviewed, the Premier stated as he had to see both sides again to-morrow it was not desirable to give details of to-day’s proceedings. Fair progress bad been made, but the question was not settled, and lie hoped to make an announcement to-morrow.

Press Association. DUNEDIN, Nov. IS. In consequence of the coal strike the Union S.S. Co. have decided oil an all round increase of freight and passenger rates, to take effect immediately. Passengers from Sydney and Melbourne to New Zealand are being increased by 10 per cent, and the freight rates on the same route by 25 per cent. The rates between Sydney and Melbourne and Tasmania are similarly increased. The directors have not determined whether increased rates from New Zealand to Australia shall be made. The rates on coastal traffic in New Zealand will not be increased. It is understood that Huddart-Parker and Co. have agreed to a similiar increase.