N.S.W. COAL STRIKE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2686, 16 December 1909, Page 5

N.S.W. COAL STRIKE.

CABLE NEWS.

, v, : ASSERTING THE LAW.

United Pe«br Association —Copyhicjiit SYDNEY, Dec. 15.

The Premier has announced that the Government is considering the most practical and effective means of asserting the supremacy of the law’. The doings of the Congress had been watched, and while it had been preventing a strike spreading, it was nevertheless controlling operations. It is believed that the Government will pass a short Act making the penal clauses of the Industrial Disputes Act more drastic. There are no immediate prospects of the Southern miners returning to work. The horses have again been removed from the mines. Up to date £SOOO has been contributed to the strike fund from various parts of the Commonwealth. The money is distributed as fast as it comes in. A PEACE MISSION. (Received December 15, 11.55 p.m.) SYDNEY, Dec. 15. Mr. Hughes, after a long talk with Mr. Wade, and a. subsequent meeting of the Strike Congress, left for Newcastle. Before leaving be said that matters had reached a stage when something definite must be done, and at a very early period. Concession would be not only the best but the only, policy in the interests of both the men and the public. Time would show whether or not he would prove successful. It is believed that there are grounds for the persistent rumor that Mr. Hughes’ mission to Newcastle is to use his influence in persuading the northern men to consent to the southern miners resuming work. Some of the northern delegates to the Strike Congress are accompanying him. OMINOUS ACTION OF THE GOVERNMENT. (Received December 16, 12.50 a.m.) In the Assembly, Mr. Wade gave notice to move to-morrow the suspension of the Standing Orders to permit an Industrial Disputes Act Amending Bill to pass all its stages in one day. This is taken as an earnest of the Government’s intention to make the penal clauses of the Act more drastic. The proprietors have replied to the Dean of Newcastle’s suggestion for a truce that as the Government is nowtaking action they had better leave the settlement to it. The steamers Marmora, Dorset, Marloo, Palermo, and Golava were working their cargoes to-day with their own hands and a few free laborers. The unionists’ pickets watched the operations. The police were present in considerable force, but their services were not required, and there was no demonstration.