THE COAL STRIKE.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 688, 13 December 1909, Page 7

THE COAL STRIKE.

WHARF LABOURERS. DECIDE TO RESUME WORK. STRONG SPEECH BY MR. HUGHES. " DAMNABLY PERNICIOUS DOCTRINES." (By Tcleßraph-Prcse Associatlou-CuDTrIEbU (llec. December 12, 5.5 p.m.) Sydney, December 11. At iv meeting of the Whart Lubourors' Union it was Uecidod, by ft.lnvgo majority, to abido by the decision of the Sti'lko Congress, and to resume work until directed to stop. Mr. Hughes, in the course of a stroug speech, said it they rejected the policy of the Congress they would bring about, not only their own defeat, but social disaster. In the late tramway strike, the. union had been led away by the damnably pernicious doctrines of the Industrial Workers of the World. That organisation was the curse of the country. They were face to face with a gigantic struggle. They did not want a general strike, - which would bring about violence and bloodshed. The arrcbt of the lcadcis was a hideous blunder, and the introduction of free labour would lead to riots. Tho result of the ■ abovo meeting of whnrf labourers was anxiously awaited, as there was Some doubt as to whether they would prove willing to commit the conduct of their affaire to ttio Strike Congress. Sir. M'Gowcn, Leader of tho Parliamentary Labonr party, informed an inter.viewcr that ,tho Labour party repudiated revolutionary tac,tics, and supported the Strike Congress. THE GAS SUPPLY. "IF THE CITY IS PLTJNGED IN DARKNESS- ,, , Sydney, December 11. Representatives of tho Gas Employees' Union interviewed the Strike Congress, and, it is understood, agreed to abido, by the decision of tho Congress, which is not in favour of tho gasmen coming out. ' , The Government threatens to deal severely with the , leaders of the gas employees if the city is plunged in darkness. THE RAILWAY SERVICE. POSTAL FACILITIES. ■ Sydney, December 11. - The Railway Department has declined to provide the usual special train to bring the English mails from Albury. Melbourne, December 11. Owing to tho shortening of tho train service, railway tricycles are being utilised in tome districts to maintain postal facilities. , MEDIATORY EFFORTS. GOVERNMENT REACHES THE END OF ITS TETHER. Sydney, December 11. The Acting-Premier, Mr. Leo, stated in tho Legislative Assembly that the Government had reached tho end of its tother as regards mediatory efforts. Tho Government, ho added, had received six different offers to indent all tho <!oal it. needed for public purposes, and moio if : necessary. SHRINKAGE IN TRADE. MEN THROWN OUT OF WORK.

Sydney, December 11, The Sydney , Meat Preserving Works have been closed for want of coal, and GOO employees have been thrown out of employment. .Reports from nil sides indicate n shrinkage iri trade and a shortening of hands. Tho condition of Newcastle trado is particularly bad. It is stated that the miners',mines arc yielding abont a thousand pounds weekly. ContributioiM to the strike funds from other sources We increasing. WILL THE MINERS RESUME WORK? PEOSPECTS VERT SHADOWY. . (Heo. Decomber 13, 1.5 a.m.) ■ Sydney, December 12. Accenting to their, .promise,,, the, Southern proprietors have prepared their pits for restarting in the morning, but the possibility of the minors resuming work'is very shadowy.':