N.S.W. COAL STRIKE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2697, 30 December 1909, Page 5

N.S.W. COAL STRIKE.

CABLE NEWS.

STRIKERS DESIRE SETTLEMENT

United Pwcsh Association— Copyright

SYDNEY, Dec. 28

The Strike Congress met again and endorsed the action of the waterside workers in continuing work. It also carried a motion that the Congress, desiring to bring about an honorable settlement of the dispute', authorises its representatives to approach the owners with a view of settling the trouble by means of an open conference or any other way acceptable to all parties.

The Burwood Extended mine at Newcastle resumes work on Wednesday. Preference will be given to former employes. This mine is outside the vend.

CHRISTMAS TRADE UNAFFECTED

Despite the strike, the gloomy forebodings for Christmas trade are not being realised, as most of the retail businesses declare that a record is being put up.

MR. HUGHES’ OPINION

SYDNEY, Dec. 29

Mr. Hughes regards the break-away as one of the effects of Mr. Wade’s new law. He considers the whole question as complicated. They are now fighting, not merely enemies, but those who for some time have pretended to be their friends. The Strike Congress was created at the desire cf the Northern miners. The latter had the amplest right' to conduct affairs as they pleased, but every day they remained out it involved other workers, and they must have a voice in a conflict which defies every effort to confine it within the comparatively marrow limits of the coal mining industry. They are now fighting outside among themselves, where formerly they fought inside.

STRIKE LEADERS FOUND GUILTY

(Received December 30, 12.40 a.m.)

The Industrial Court at Newcastle found thirteen members of the Delegate Board of the Colliery Employees’ Federation, Drees, Breen, Parkes, Hanlon, Lettlefair, Williams, Watson, Pease, Sneddon, Neilly, Stenhouse, Young, and Frith guilty of inciting to strike. Each was fined £IOO, with the alternative of two months’ imprisonment.

THE MINERS’ ENVOY

n*KU Press Association.l WELLINGTON, Dec. 29. Yesterday Mr. J. McWilliams, vicepresident of the New South Wales Colliery Employees’ Federation (who was mentioned in a cable message) arrived in Wellington. His object is to secure assistance for the coal strikers. He remarked to a representative of the “Post” that at the time he left Australia the men were more embittered than they had been at any other time.- This wa s due to the drastic amendment of the Industrial Disputes Act. The workers keenly resented the new penal clauses, stipulating imprisonment without the option of a fine in certain cases. Just prior to Mr. McWilliams’ departure the men’s representatives decided to do their utmost to hold out as long as possible. Hence they resolved to send delegates to Western Australia, Queensland, and New Zealand, and to cable to England, Europe, and America for-help. It was intended also to despatch a cable message to Mr. Keir Hardie. The visitor said that he would not pretend that the miners were unanimous in the agreement to strike,, but he would maintain that in all the 10,000 members of the Federation, not one in twenty was against the strike. The general public, too, were largely sympathising with the strikers, and for this measure of support the New South Wales Government was to some extent to be thanked. Mr. McWilliams did not think that the strike would handicap the labor party at the Federal elections. On the contrary, he believed that the general effect of the various developments, including the amended Act, would help the labor candidates. The miners were political labor leaguers. Though Mr. Bowling had been associated with the Workers of the World movement, the miners had declined to be identified with .it whenever any proposal, either in open voting or at the ballot, had been put forward for the adoption of the “L.W.W.” platform. The strike had been splendidly organised, continued Mr McWilliams. Gifts of food, ranging from whole bullocks and sheep down to flour and loaves of bread, were coming in abundantly, and were distributed according to the families’ needs by a well-ordered system of depots. These institutions also served for the distribution of various goods to miners’ families, for which the Federation stood responsible. The envoy admitted that the mining labor market was overcrowded. Mr. McWilliams will address a public meeting here a s soon as the. Wellington Trades and Labor Council can make arrangements for a hall.

SHORTAGE OF NEWCASTLE COAL IN CHRISTCHURCH.

CHRISTCHURCH, Dec. 29. The contractors for the supply of Newcastle ooal to the city destructor have written to the City Council stating that owing to the Newcastle coal strike they will be unable to supply the destructor with any more Newcastle coal'till the mines resume and further, supplies are landed. The letter states that during the six weeks the strike has been in progress the terms of the contract have been fulfilled by utilising stocks already on hand. These are now exhausted, and the contractors have asked to be relieved of responsibilty, as provided .in the strike clauses of the contract.