GOAL STRIKE.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 44, 15 November 1907, Page 5

GOAL STRIKE.

FUEL FAMINE. PARALYSIS OF INDUSTRY FEARED. ATTEMPTED MEDIATION. SEVENTY'' PER CENT. ADVANCE IN PRICES. BT TELEGRAPH—PKESB ASSOCIATION—COFTttIGHT. Sydney, Novombor 14. Tho only colliery not idle in the Newcastlo district is Lambton, which is working on tribute. Besides tho miners 900 trimmers and others engaged in loading have also been renderod idle. APPEAL TOR ASSISTANCE. . Tho Miners' Committee carried a resolution appealing to tho miners in" the southern and western districts and all coal mining centres of tho Commonwealth to assist n upholding tho causo of unionism, and alsa to cable details of the .situation to tho principal unions in England, America, New Zealand, and other centres, asking for sympathy . and assistance.'. . . A further resolution was adopted, namely, " That' in- tho event of no settlement>being reached to : day, all members bo called upoa< ; to ceaso-worky and every constitutional effort l>9 mado; to prevent the production of coal while the strugglo lasts." ATTITUDE OF SOUTHERN MINERS. ' , The attitudo of the southern'miners is being watched witli interest. Mount Kembla's decision to strike in. > sympathy' with the Northern miners is confirmed. Other podges are to hold mootiugs. 1 Delegates from ' the Northern 'miners ara visiting various lodges, seeking their sup. port. | v It is announced that a secret agreement' exists amongst tho northern, southern, and western miners in the direction of combinod ! action, with .regard, to! a' striko.' ; : r '. >' " /CHANCES OF SETTLEMENT.' Tho President of tho Miners' Federation , says the' resolutions do not mean that tho federation does not desire a peaceful solution it .is quite prepared to .come to a settloment on tho- lines suggested by tha Premior.

Tho proprietors meet to-day to discusa| the situation. The result is" anxiously awaited. — —- ' Efforts at mediation aro" being-continued with a .view to arranging a conference. Mr. Wado (Premier) has expressed his willingness to attend a conference,' if ho is- asked. 1 INDUSTRIAL SHORTAGE. 1 .. There is ~ an .enonnous demand for coal' in Sydney. An advance of 70 per cent, on ordinary prices is paid for supplies. ! r If tho strike continues dislocation'of the ferry traffic; is threatened. There is littla' more than a week's supply of coal in hand, and an. economic service is being arranged. ' -Tlie failuro of the coal supply will also bo a serious blow to tho, iron founders, and will j mean the throwing out of work of. 2000 i hands. Tho Gas, Company and the railways have each a month's supply in stock. ■ ' Tho visible supply of coal at Newcastle is .only, a few thousand tons. Fancy prices '; are being offered without finding sellers. \ j • Where possible, vessels are:being diverted ' ;"to, 'othoi; ports.. . * X LAYINC UP COLLIERS, i . ■ w.r ,■ . MR.; DEAKIN. ' MELBOURNE SUPPLIES'. LIGHT. ' ' " Meiboitf no, November 14. : • A mooting of steamship owners decided, in consequence of tile .trouble in Newcastle, to immediately lay up nineteen steam cot licrs, employing nearly 600 officers and men. : Supplies of coal aro light, - and if the strike continues inter-State traffic; will suffer. 1 ",V,'".V"'■ Tho' Fyansford' paper" mills have closed foi want of coal. ... It is suggested that Mr. Deakin, Federal Premier, should be asked to act as mediator* • \ ,