N.S.W. COAL STRIKE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2677, 6 December 1909, Page 5

N.S.W. COAL STRIKE.

■■; 1 y-v - . , - CABLE NEWS.

STRIKE LEADERS AT VARIANCE. / ’Jnitkd I’hvsH Association —Uopyuigiit. , SYDNEY, Dec. 4. Mr Bowling informed an interviewer that he was not surprised that the coal lumpers had refused to handle the Palermo’s eoal. He did not think any self-respecting unionist would handle “scab coal.” When Mr Hughes heard of Mr Bowling’s statement, he gave his to the press. He declared that Mr Bowling’s attitude was different from that which he-assumed at the Strike Congress. He must decline to permit Mr Bowling, or any other man, to run with the liare .and hunt with the hounds. Mr BWvling voted for a resolution in favor of the coal being handled. He even offered to go to the coal lumpers and tell them to handle it. IMPORTANT STATEMENT BY MR. " WADE. Mr Wade has issued a statement showing that the Bellambi Coal Company offered the Railway Commissioners 7000 tons at grass at the price prevailing before tbe strike. The offer was accepted. The Premier commended this public-spirited action to other owners. He added that if private owners attempted to exploit the public, the Government would step in. They would secure coal from any source, and checkmate any attempt to bleed the community. Vi The electric lighting of Sydney can be maintained till January 10th, but gas lighting will cease in eleven days. The municipal authorities are fitting lamps to burn kerosene. The Railway Commissioners are fitting several locomotives to take oil fuel. ADELAIDE, Dec. 4. Another French ship has arrived with Welsh coal as ballast. LONDON, Dec. 3. Very large shipments of coal are being sent to the West Coast of America, as a result of the drop in Australian shipments. The steamer Devonshire is loading 5000 tons of Tyne steamer coal. Half a dozen other steamers are being fixed for Australia.

COMPULSORY WAGES BOARD

APPOINTED-

Judge Heydon has nominated Mr. Forsyth, of the Dudley colliery, representing the owners, and Mr. Paterson, president of the Federated Coal and Shale Workers’ Union, representing the miners, with Judge Schelles, as chairman, to form the Compulsory Wages Board in connection with the strike.

SPECIAL MEETING OF LUMPERS

CALLED

The strike congress has called a special meeting of the Lumpers’ Union for Monday to consider an offer of the manager of the P. and O. Company to withdraw the Palermo’s crew lrom working coal if the lumpers reconsider their decision and consent to handle her coal. The strike leaders will explain the position at Monday’s meeting.

ENERGETIC ACTION OF GOVERN-

MENT.

ARREST OF THE STRIKE

LEADERS.

(Received December o, 5.5 p.m.) SYDNEY, Dec. 5. Seventy police were sent from Sydney to Newcastle last night. Mr. Bowling and Mr. Brennan, secretary of the Colliery Employees’ Federation, travelled in the same train. There was a large crowd at the New castle station to welcome them. •Shortly after arrival the police arrested Messrs Bowling and Brennan on a charge of conspiracy. Later on Mr. Burns, treasurer of the Amalgamated Coal and Shale Workers, was arrested.

Large crowds followed the arrestees to the lock-up, and there was some hostile hooting, but no violence.