IN THE BALANCE.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 665, 16 November 1909, Page 5

IN THE BALANCE.

COAL STRIKE. POLICY GF WATERSIDE WORKERS AND SEAMEN. CONFERENCE WITH OWNERS STILL CALLED FOR. ' (Dy Sydney, Nocnihor 15, The "Sydney Mprnins Hernlu" says it is known that alternatives to a genere,! strike were proposed at the conference of labour unions on Saturday, but failed. The situation appears to bo thiai ' Tho seamen were npt in favour Df an Immediate strike, but the waterside wprkers were. Iflorefore it was determined to as:ertain whoi thor tho waterside workers would striko, nnd whether if they did othors would join them. The lvatersidp workers are to meet this morning, prior to the reassembling of the conference, The "Herald ,, ndds: "Tho waterside workers throughout Australia will almosl, certaiqly leave work to-mouw, Tho Brokon Hill miners have also determined to strike if the water, side wprkers corn.?, out/' The northern proprietors have deold.ed. to pay up the men's back money. This will amount tq about JE20,009. All tho western, pollieries (ire idls. THE STRIKE CQNFEREN'SE; WATERSIDE MEN FQliow THEJR OWl* EXECUTIVE. (Reo. November 15, 5,5 p.m.) Sydney, November 15. Anew development occurred this morning, when tho waterside workers carried a resolution reposing confidence in their ovrn executive in oonneotlon with the strike, An amendment that the watcrsido workers should abide by tho decision of the' delegates to the Strika Conference of unions which has been sitting daring the paM d.ay or two. wag negatived. Simultaneous meetings of waterslda workers will bo held in, all the States to formulate e, common plan of action.; thus, there \slH be no extension of the stTike fay a few dajs nt any rate. (Rec November , 15. 1Q.5 p.m.) Sydney, November 15. A masa, meeting of the waterside worke.e, after rejecting an amendment in favour of abiding by any deoision that ad.journod Strike Conference may arrive at, carried a resolution expressing , confident*) in the Council of the Vaterside Workers' Federation, and agrpoing to the mejn being ct.Jled out when that body thinks fit. ' ■ This resolution was lepcrted to tho Strike Conference, which reassembled, this afternoon., Ibo waterside workers in the meantime rosuming work.

GENERAL STRIKE DEFERRED. WHAT THE CONFERENCE DECIDED. (Uec, November IC, Q,20 a.m.) Sydney, November }5, The deolaion of the Strike Conference to defer a general strike until another cffqvt bW been made to reach a settlement has relieved an anxious situation, ' j When tho Conference adjourned to-night, Mr. W. M. Hughes, President of the Wntorside Workers' Union, made an official statouient to the ofoot that the roplios from all branches of the Watorside Worker* , Federation had been favonrablo to carrying into effeot the .-osolut,ion 'passed at Tuesday's oonferonqe. It remained only for to-day's' Conference lo'vocommond that action should bo taken, Dotails had been fnlly discussed, and a determination hod been reached (satisfactory 1 to. both the seamen—whoso position In some reiipects is different to that of other waterside workersand to the allied unions, Everything vas in readiness to give effect to Tuesday's degision. • To-day's Conference however was, Mr, Hughos eaid, desirous of a peaceful and speedy eettlement, and, not despairing thereof in spite of the mineovnors , refusal of the men's reasonable requests, was very anxious to do every-, thing possible to prevent the disput) extending any further, and to onablo the part.es to florae together for the purpose of a peaceful settlement. Tho result of the deliberations wan the adoption of. the following resolution ,- "That we uas every legitimate means .to bring about an opon conference be, tween the. .imneowners and the men. and, failing this, oall upon the Govern ■ moat to take over and work the mined in-tlie intereet of the general community.' Mr. Hughes pointed ont that this gave Mr, Wadq (Premier of New South Walce) tho opportunity of taking the n6tioti which ho bad ueolared his Gbvernment was ready to take. The Strike Conference will meet ngain tomorrow aftornopn. TUESDAY'S RESOLUTIONS. The resolutions passed by-tho conference of unions on Tuesday, November 9, referred to py Air. Hughes, are as under i 1. That the proprietors of 'the northern, southern, nnd wostein coalfields bo asked to meet representatives of the Federated Coal and Shale Workors of Australia in ppen cunJoronco immediately, in order that existing jrlevftncoa may be redressed. 2. That in the ovent of stich conference Jot meeting before Tuesday next, the delegates representing the Waterside Workers' and Maritime Unions, tho Coal Lumpers' Union, the. Newcastle Crane Employees' Union, ami tho Coaltrimmors' Union, recommend their members and all those engaged in transport trades, to cease work on that dato. ALL PREPARED TQ STRIKE. SEAMEN "BEADY AND ANXIQUS TO COME OUT." (Reo. November 10, 1.5 a.m.) Sydney Novomber 15. Mr. Hnghos stated that in tho event of tho failuro of tho negotiations for a conference lrith the owners, all tho unipn , ; were in readiness to call a general strike. He ' denied a rumour that tho Bonmen were opposed tp a strike; they yreio ready and anxious to comi! oufc BROKEN HILL'S FINANCIAL AID. " (Eec, NoTombev 15,' 10,5 p,m.) Sydney, November \5. Tho Broken Hill Combined Unions reconii monded a levy of ss. per fprtnight for the eoalininore' atrike fnud.