THE MINERS' STRIKE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1931, 29 August 1888, Page 3

THE MINERS' STRIKE.

« (PER PRESS ASSOCIATION;) Newcastle, August 28. The proprietors of the West Wallgend coal mine have engaged a number of navvies to open up the mine. They argae that work of this nature is not actual mining, and contend that should any opposition be shown by those on strike, it is the duty of the Government to offer protection to men working. Messrs Melville and Walker, members representing the district of Northumberland m the Legislative Assembly, express their intention of agitating m favor of adding a new clause to the Mining Act now m operation providing that unless mines are constantly worked the leases be cancelled. Melbourne. August 28 The building trade is seriously affected by the miners' strike. Bricks have ad vanced 6s per 1000, and many contractors will be ruined if compelled to complete their engagements at increased prices. Every day vessels are being laid up and crews paid off. The strike is also affecting the founderies, proprietors of which, are discharging many hands. Queensland is selling at an advance of 29s per ton. Adelaide, An past 28. The majority of the Trade Unions are against the action taken by the Newcastle miners, and the question of for warding funds to their assistance has not j«t been settled.

Auckland, August 28. Orders ara being freely received by local coal companies m consequence of the Newcastle strike. The K»mo Goal Company have orders for 3000 tons for the Union Company'" steamer*, sod 1000 tons for the b.b. Balmoral Castle. The Auckland Gai Company, who have a oontraot for lighting the city, have made a contraofc by which supplies of ooal will be received by them from Greymouth every f ortnlghtt

THE MEN'S POSITION. During an interview a prominent Newcastle miner put the men's case as follows : — lc It should not be forgotten that this dispute is not a new one, but ef long standing. It is a fight for arbitration, which we want, and which the masters don't want. There are many matters which the public don't understand mixed with it. We once had a conciliatory agreement with the masters, but they broke it. We have submitted out proposals for a new agreement, which they have rejected. They promised to submit a fresh one, but have not kept their word, and they are now trying to justify their breach of faith and to render negotiations impossible by charging us with attempting to coerce them, and by as^iner us to stultify ourselves as an organisation by withdrawing certain resolutions come to. The real cause of the trouble is the aversion of the proprietors to arbitration . The miners argue that they have done three things which showed their desire to secare a peaceful settlement by concession: — Firßt, they have formally repudiated any desire to coerce ; secondly, they request a conference ; and thirdly, they have decided to go into the conference with the reßult of the ballot officially unknown. It is said on behalf of the masters that the idea that they want a strike is preposterous. The coal trade waa never more brisk, and the prospects of coal owners were hardly ever larger. A strike would cripple trade for years to come, and subject the shareholders to great losses." THE COLLIERY PEOPBIETORB' ATTITUDE. A prominent colliery owner said today : — " The proprietors are indifferent as to whether tbe strike takes place or not. It *ould not last long. If it did the men would be bound to return at far less favorable terms than they now have. A prolonged strike would scatter the men and smash their Union." Another large shareholder *nd director m one of the mines observed : " The men are trying to bully as with the threat of a strike, . . If a strike is to come it had better come now. The owners were never more indifferent concerning * strike, and never better able to meet one. One thing is certain — If it takes place the miners will never be allowed to reiume work on such advantageous terms as now. This I know to be the determination of the members of the Proprietors' Association. On the 30th June there were 6,160 men employed m connection with the various collieries In the town." PBOSPEOTS 01 SETTLEMENT. The present prospeots of a lettlement of the dlspnte between employers and employed at Newcastle seem to be unpromising. "Lifting the erralth," as tbe Scotch miners term the taking of the tools out of the mine, is a serious undertaking on the part of the men- Those who are acquainted with miners and their customs will realise that that this step is seldom if ever taken until the men have made up their minds to proßeoute their demands to the utmost stage. It is the act which avows the severing of all agreements and obligations, and the outbreak of a strife which rarely ends except by complete surrender of one side or the other.— (" Danedin Star. ")