N.S.W. COAL STRIKE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2680, 9 December 1909, Page 5

N.S.W. COAL STRIKE.

GABLE NEWS.

MINERS S 'MINES CLOSE DOWN.

„ 4r.uv ••;• •••;'••:;= . ■■■ , o;- : •• UNITED I’l»«8N ASSOCIATION —COPYUiaiIT. SYDNEY, Dec. 8. Mr Hughes states that the miners’ mines are to be closed owing to the low prices offered for coal by the Railway Commissioners.

It is reported that moro .than one Northern colliery' is making preparations to start with free labor, contingent upon certain negotiations now proceeding. The Northern Proprietors 5 Association endorsed Mr Forsyth’s appointment to a compulsory wages board. In the Assembly, Dr Arthur asked, in view of artificial lights being a danger, would the Government be prepared to pass a Daylight Saving Bill this session'.. The Acting-Premier replied that if the Bill would give 24 hours’ daylight the Government would initiate it at once, but he did not see how they could meet the difficulty -created by the strike. A water famine is threatened at Broken Hill. The South Australian authorities have informed the New South Wales Government that it cannot guarantee to run a relief train to the Barrier in 'the event of water failing. NATIONALISING MINES. The Labo:r .party has under consideration a scheme for nationalising certain Northern mines which they propose to submit to the Strike Congress. IMPORTATION OF ENGLISH COAL. MELBOURNE, Dec. 8. The Railway Commissioner, with the consent of the Government, is negotiating for the importation of English coal in the event of the Newcastle strike continuing. • STRIKE OF COAL LUMPERS. (Received December 9, 12.5 a.m.) The Coal Lumpers’ Union has decided to strike. The Assembly is sitting continuously over the, Estimates. The time is largely taken up with an attack on the Government over the strike, and there were several disorderly scenes. A SCANDALOUS, ASSERTION. One of the Labor members accused the Government of a deliberate attempt to create an insurrection by sending a large force of police to Newcastle. INTENTIONS OF THE GOVERNi - MENT. . \ The Chief Secretary replied that the whole action of the Government had been one of tolerance, forbearance, and continual effort to influence both parties to bring about a settlement. The Government’s purpose was giving the fullest and freest opportunity to get the coal wanted for the public. The Government were not going to allow industrial, paralysis to overtake the State. They would, if necessary, get coal from abroad, though they preferred to give every chalice to get it locally. If the Government protected the mines they would not allow the ■owners to sell coal to the .public at famine prices.