N. S. W. COAL STRIKE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2664, 20 November 1909, Page 5

N. S. W. COAL STRIKE.

AGREEMENT EOR WORKING TWO COLLIERIES MADE. '

United Press Association —Copyright

SYDNEY, Nov. 19

An agreement has been drawn up for Avorking tAvo collieries by the miners in conjunction Avith oAvners outside tlie vend. A feu- minor points remain to be settled. Tlio operations may commence on Monday.

London, Nov. is.

Shipments of coal are being hurried from Japan and elseivhere to Australia. It has been suggested that the mail boats leaving England should take sufficient coal to enable them, by • replenishing at Colombo to run from Ceylon to Australia and back.

Owing to the strike the British India - Company has raised the freights by Aveight and moa r ure to Brisbane by five shillings, and the Orient Company from next Aveek raises the 'freight measurement to all Australian ports by fifteen shillings.

THE PREMIER’S NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE STRIKERS.

(Receiced November 19, 10 p.m) SYDNEY, Nov. 19.

The conference between Mr. Wade and the strike delegates did not tak® place to-day. Mr. Hughes received a letter from Mr. Wade, expressing bis disappointment that medical advice prevented his seeeing the delegates today, but fixing a. meeting for to-mor-row. Mr. Wade suggests tlie opinion of the miners in the different districts ,bc taken as to whether they are agreeable to accept his proposals, adding that a ballot on the question would give a true indication of the opinions of the persons most vitally concerned. A meeting of the Northern colliery proprietors at Newcastle accepted Mr. Wade’s proposal that they should consent to meet the men in conference simultaneously with the resumption of work. The proprietors add a proviso that in the event of the conference not arriving at a settlement the whole of the questions in disputo be referred for adjudication under the Industrial Disputes Act.

BRITISH COAL FOR AUSTRALIA

(Received November 10, 10.25 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 19.

Several cargoes of gas coal have been purchased at Newcastle-on-dyne foi /Australia, at 10s 6d and 11s, Avith ; freight- 12s 6d per ton. It is rumored that, a syndicate is forming, on the Tyne to solid large shipments to Austdalia. It is also reported that Cardiff is sending coal to New South Wales. -

THE ATTITUDE OF THE MINERS.

(Received November 19, 11.55 p.m.) The secretary of the Miners’ Federation, referring to the Northern proprietors’ decision, declared that the miners will not;, resume work without an unconditional conference. They ivere not such fools, even if a conference was granted, to rush back without some guarantee that their grievances would be redressed..

It is reported that the miners are willing, if the proprietors agree upon a conference, to send sufficient men into the pits to thoroughly clean them and prepare for a general resumption of work. In the meantime the conference would have a chance to arrive at ’A basis of settlement of the mam points of the dispute. A mass meeting of the unions interested will be held at ..Newcastle tomorrow to discuss the situation. Owing to the abnormal supply of lire Avood in Sydney, prices have slumped below the usual ratesNEWCASTLE, Nov. 19. :

The barque Casablanca has sailed for New Zealand in ballast, no coal being' available.

ATTEMPT TO INDUCE INTERCOLONIAL SEAMEN TO STRIKE.

‘ ' rpER Press Association.! AUCKLAND, Nov. 19. A telegram was received by the local branch of the Seamen’s Union from the Union Executive in Dunedin to-day asking if the seamen engag^onmtercolonial vessels would come, out-on strike if called upon the Newcastle miners. The officmls decline to give any information but it m understood that some .favored a. strike but that the majority were against it. A ballot is to be taken commencing tomorrow. \ v THE STATE COAL MINERS. ■ t Per Pukss Association.! GREYMOUTH, Nov. 19. Rumors are freely in circulation that the State miners are contemplating ceasing work unless the manager acceds to their requests. A representative of the “Argus” interviewed Mr. Bishop, the manager, this evening, and he states that there is no foundation for such rumors. He is still m conference with the men, and is hopeful of an amicable settlement being arrived at on Monday or Tuesday. Mr. J- J- CRAIG’S VIEWS. When asked at Auckland what effect the Newcastle coal strike would have upon, the New Zealand coal industry, Mr J. J- Craig said to a 1 Herald reporter, “I expect enquiries from Australia by Friday next, or even sooner. I am certain tliat if the- strike continues wo?shall be shipping coal across the Tasmaii 'Sea in two week s time. It is, in my.'opinion, the beginning of a long. determined stand on the part or the miners. The • only material offec the strike will have upon us here will bo in regard to the gasworks, but W estpoid coal can be used for that purpose if Newcastle coal cannot be obtained. Householders will also be restricted to the use of our local product, which will mean an increased consumption of New Zealand coai, which will benefit the local industry. “A very serious problem alsQ faces the owners of steamers and sailing ships travelling between New Zealand and

CABLE NEWS.

Australia, taking timber to the other side and returning Avith loads of coal from NeAvcastle. These vepscls will either have to remain there or return empty. All the Union Company’s steamers, which, as a rule, load up at Newcastle, will have' to be supplied in Ntnv Zealand. That will mean a very large increase in the demand for Zealand coal.”