NEWCASTLE CRISIS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1385, 11 March 1912, Page 5

NEWCASTLE CRISIS.

SYMPATHY WITH BRITISH MEN. STOPPAGE OF EXPORT PROPOSED. Sydney, March 9. The president of the Newcastle Conciliation Committee has called a special meeting to consider tho deadlock in view ' of the. threatening situation on the coalfields. To-day tho Delegate Board of the Miners' Federation met and discussed the situation. It is considered a. satisfactory feature that I hey did not decide on any drastic action, at least for tho present. There is a consensus of opinion amongst members of the unions that the Dclcgato Board favours a ballot Ijcfore anything in the nature of a general strike is decided upon. A special meeting of the Aberdare Lodge decided:—"That, seeing there is a great upheaval iu Britain, clearly pointing to tho existence of a class struggle, we believe that if tho miners of Britain are beaten it will have a tendency to lower the standard of living in Australia. It is therefore resolved that the Delegate Board discuss tho resolution that' there be no coal produced by any member of tho federation for ports outside Australia, and to ask tho miners of other, districts .tojaltt,similar action, also the lumbers and trimmers; that we demand the abolition of the afternoon shift before March ,11, and demand a minimum wage of lis. a day. Wo pledgo ourselves to assist -our fellowworkers in Britain." The proprietors are determined, net to change their attitude regarding the afternoon shift. GERMAN TROUBLES. STRIKE MOVEMENT SPREADING. Berlin, March 8. The Government has conferred with tho miners. It is understood the leaders urged the Government to cause tho mineowners to make a binding promise to increase wages, otherwise there would bo a strike on Monday next. The movement is spreading in Upper Silesia. The unions are demanding a 15 per cent, increase in wages. ' Tho gendarmerie in the coal districts is being strengthened to protect non-strikers in the event of a strike. Troops arc being sent to several centres.