N.S.W. COAL STRIKE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2734, 12 February 1910, Page 5

N.S.W. COAL STRIKE.

CABLE NEWS.

THE CONSPIRACY TRIAL. SPEECHES BY THE ACCUSED. United Press Association —Copyright The judge, in, summing np at the trial of Bowling and others for conspiracy, said it was no defence for accused to say that they were in the service of the Miners’ Federation, and as servants were carrying out the Federation’s orders. The jury recommended all to mercy on the gound of their previous good characters. Each made statements claiming that they were innocent, as they were unaware they were committing breaches of the law. Bowling declared that the law as it stood made the carrying out of the duties of the officers of a union impossible and unsafe. Very few unionists ■knew what the law meant. He did not. If this was what was done in a free country he wished to go back to Siberia or some other country where they did not talk about freedom.

Brennan doubted if any men would in future be willing to pay the price of maintaining the position of working men in the country. Unionists would be like sheep without shepherds. Burns declared that lie had always advised the non-acceptance of an Industrial Disputes Act. He would do so as long as he lived, because it was incapable of governing the work of miners.

Lewis said that this was the end of the men who interested themselves on behalf of the unionists. Unions in the State would become secret societies.

THE JUDGE’S REMARKS. The judge, in passing sentence, said that each knew he was breaking the law, and did it deliberately. As to no one accepting office in a union in future all such men had to do was to obey the law. Then they were perfectly safe. He could not understand how accused could claim that in throwing many thousands out of work they wore acting for the benefit of humanity. He had taken the recommendation of mercy into consideration in awarding the sentences.

PRESS COMMENTS ON THE CASE

The “Telegraph” states that in summing up the judge vindicated the industrial law by an exposition which ought to be of salutary benefit to those people who seem to think it differs from other law. The “Herald” states: “Under the circumstances it will not be felt that Bowling was dealt with too harshly. Any reasonable review of the strike must impress the public with the gravity of the offence just published. It was a deliberate conspiracy to hold up the industries of the State. Bowling and his fellow conspirators set out to deliberately upset institutions, defy the law, and starve the public.

PROCEEDINGS AT THE WAGES BOARD.

At the Newcastle Wages Board Mr Charleton later returned to the Court. He stated that the delegates of the Board had not resolved to again renew the application for an adjournment. They had realised that it was necessary to have an early settlement. Although they could give no guarantee he was fully prepared to say that if the request was granted it would bring about tiler resumption of work at a very early date. A delegate to the Board also desired him to ask Judge Scholes, President of the Wages Board, whether he could see his way, in the capacity of a citizen, to meet the miners’ representatives. It was their desire to bring about a settlement. Judge Scholes considered that Mr Charleton must have strong reasons for pressing for an adjournment. He therefore granted it for two reasons —firstly, in the hope of the men submitting their ease to the Board, secondly, the prospects of a settlement being soon possible. He also agreed to the request to meet the miners’ representatives. The Board adiourned to Wednesday.

Judge Scholes proceeded to the Trade Hall to confer with the miners’ Advisory Board.

LABOR MEMBERS INDIGNANT

(Received February 11, 10.20' p.m.)

Labor members consider the sentences on Bowling and the others unnecessarily severe. Mr. McGowen, leader of the Opposition, declared that the law was passed to deal with criminals, not to turn honest men into criminals, and that was what had been done in the present case. A nominal sentence would have met the justice of the case.

PROSPECTS OF A SETTLEMENT

IMPROVING

The Industrial Court granted an application for release on behalf of ten of the miners’ leaders recently fined £IOO each in connection with the strike on the ground that they were officials of the Miners' Federation, and their services were required in bringing about a settlement, which is imminent. The strike outlook generally is brightening. Advices from the Southern district are very hopeful of tomorrow’s ballot favoring a resumption of work on Monday.

Newcastle reports show that there is a growing tendency towards an early resumption of work. (Received February 12, 1.5 a.m.) Judge Scholes, President of the Wages Board, has returned to Sydney. He interviewed Mr. Wade during the day. Both declined to say anything regarding Judge Scholes’ conference -with the Miners’ Advisory Board.

CABLE NEWS.

The Newcastle Lodges are taking a vote whether they shall ballot on the question of the acceptance of the Wages Board. So far ten lodges have voted for and four against the ballot. Apparently the Delegate Board regards the result as assured, as it is already issuing ballot papers before all the lodges have expressed their views.

VIOLENT RESOLUTION OF LABOR FEDERATION COUNCIL.

BRISBANE, Feb. 11

The Provisional Council of the Australian Labor Federation has adopted a resolution expressing deep abhorrence of the “detestable class-biassed law under which the representatives of the New South Wales workers have been sentenced for the crime of endeavoring to better the conditions of tlieir mates.” The Council also resolved that the Parliamentary Labor party ought to strenuously oppose the enactment of laws introduced with the object of crippling unionism.