N.S.W, COAL STRIKE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2660, 16 November 1909, Page 5

N.S.W, COAL STRIKE.

CABLE NEWS.

WATERSIDE WORKERS’ ATTITUDE

United Press Association—Copyright SYDNEY, Nov. 15.

The “Herald” says: “It is known that an alternative to a general strike was proposed at Saturday’s conference, but failed. The situation appears to be this: The seamen were not in favor of ail immediate strike, but the- waterside workers were. It was therefore determined to ascertain whether tho waterside workers would strike, and whether, if they did, others would join them. The waterside workers meet this morning prior to the reassembling of the conference.” The “Herald” adds: “The waterside workers throughout Australia will almost certainly leave work to-mor-row.”

The Broken Hill minors 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 hack money. This will amount to about £20,000.

(Received November 15, 11.35 p.m.) A mass meeting of waterside workers, after rejecting an amendment in favor of abiding by any decision Saturday’s adjourned striko conference may arrive at, carried a resolution expressing confidence in the Council of the Waterside Workers’ Federation Executive, and agreeing with the men being called out when that body thinks fit. This resolution was reported to the strike conference, which re-assembled this afternoon, tho waterside workers in the meantime resuming work. - The Broken Hill Combined Union recommended a levy of 5s a fortnight for the coalminers’ strike fund.

GENERAL STRIKE DEFERRED FOR

THE PRESENT

(Received November 16, 12.20 a.m.) The decision or the strike conference to defer a general strike until another effort has been inado to reach a settlement has relieved an anxious situation.

STATEMENT BY PRESIDENT OF WATERSIDE WORKERS’ UNION.

When the conference adjourned tonight, Mr. Hughes, president of the Waterside Workers’ Union, made an official statement to tho effect that replies from all branches of the Waterside Workers’ Federation had been favorable to carrying into effect the resolution passed at Tuesday’s conference. It remained only for to-day’s conference to recommend that that action should be taken. 3.he detail® were fullly discussed, and a determination reached satisfactory both to the seamen, whose position in some respects -was different from that of other waterside workers, and to the allied unions. Everything was in readiness to give effect to, Tuesday s decision. The conference, however, being, desirous of a peaceful, speedy settlement, and not despairing thereof, in spite of the mine-owners’ refusal of the men’s requests, was very anxious to do everything possible to prevent the dispute extending any further, and of enabling the parties to come together for a peaceful settlement. The result of the deliberations was the adoption of. the‘following resolution—“ That we use every legitimate means to bring about an open conference between the mine-owners and the men, failing this, call upon the Government to take over the work of the mines ill the interest of tlie general community.” Mr. Hughes pointed out that this would give Mr. Wade (the State Premier) an opportunity of taking the action which he declared his Government was ready to take. The conference meets again to-mor-row afternoon.

(Received November 16, 1.20 a m ; Mr. Hughes stated that in the event of negotiations failing, all was in readiness to call a general strike. He' denied a rumor that the seamen had opposed a strike. They were ready anejanxious to come out.

NEW DEVELOPMENT WATERSIDE WORKERS NOT STRIKING AT PRESENT. ,

A new development occurred this morning, when the -Waterside Workers carried a resolution reposing confidence in their own executive in connection with the strike. An amendment that they should abide by the decision of the delegates ,to the conference, which has been sitting during the past day or two, was negatived. Simultaneous meetings of Waterside Workers will be held in all the States to formulate common action. Thus there will he no extension of the strike for a few days, at any rate.

ATTITUDE. OF NEW ZEALAND miners.

nvn Pness Association.! 1 AUCKLAND, Nov. 15, There is very little danger at the present time of the New Zealand coal minevs co-operating with the Newcastle men to the extent of striking. The attitude of the miners of the Dominion is one of passive sympathy, no more. These facts were made clear to a '‘‘Herald” representative to-day by Mr R Manning, general secretary of tbe New' Zealand Miners’ Federation. •'•Tli-> only danger of us deciding to Vu out,’ would be in the event of New Zealand mine-owners ° ship coal to Newcastle, '--said Mr Mannin<v, “If no coal is exported- from hero' the Dominion miners are .not likely to strike. I consider-that theie is very little possibility of any such occurrence.” ■ VEW ZEALAND MINERS OFFER FINANCIAL SUPPORT. Air. Manning stated that the New Zealand Federation had sent tlio. following cable to the New oouth Avalos

CABLE NEWS.

Miners' Federation, , signed by the president (Mr. R. Serqple) 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, Mr. Manning pointed out, that New. Zealand miners were prepared t-o give active support to the Noivcastle men. Nothing was -likely to bo done here to hamper the New Zealand trade. EFFECT ON PRICE OF COAL IN NEW ZEALAND. Asked as to the chance of the price of coal being raised to local consumers, Mr. Manning remarked that, in tho light of past experience, he considered the price of coal was almost certain to go nip. He thought tho very fact that Newcastle coal liad to he imported from Newcastle into tho Auckland province pointed to the likelihood of an increase in rates, now that that source of supply was cut off. In this view, Mr. W. D. Holgate, managing director of the Northern Coal Company differed from Mr. Manning. Mr. Hoi gate, speaking with regard to the importation of Newcastle coal, contended that there was no need for it. The New Zealand mines could supply all demands if consumers hero would take their coal instead of Noivcastle, and it would he better for mine-owners and consumers, as well as for the New Zealand miners, if they did so “In any ease,” said Mr. Holgate, “there is no sig-» of any increase in the price ol coal yet.” INCREASED DEMAND FOR WESTPORT COAL. WESTPORT, Nov. 15. The Newcastle strike has produced an increased demand for Westport coal. The Westnort Coal Company has orders for 14,000 tons this week, and is putting on a double shift at Millerton mine. The Railway Department is making big demands on the company. The Union Company, has ordered the week’s output of the Stockton Company and the Seddonvill© State mines. Both the Westport and Stockton companies are advertising for additional men.