COAL STRIKE DEADLOCK

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2941, 29 November 1916, Page 7

COAL STRIKE DEADLOCK

NO SIGN OF THE ' END '

FEDERAL CABINET MEETS TO-DAY.

NEW AND UNEXPECTED DEVELOPMENT

Br MesraDh-Press Association-Copyright Melbourno, November 28. At the Coal .Conference the miners' delegates stated that the Federation had given orders that the mines should be kept in a condition for immediate resumption of work. If intimidation were proved they would Bee that it was discontinued immediately. The delegates stated that they were prepared to resume if the men were granted the eight hours bank-to-bank and they would confer with the proprietors and endeavour to arrange working conditions and wages for the term of the war; and failing a settlement within a month to submit to a Federal tribunal without cessation of work. , . The proprietors, disagreeing, with the men's definition of bank-to-bank, refused to accept the' proposals. The miners' representatives stated that Mr. Huglies's' proposal was unsatisfactory, and asked tor time to go to the men and explain tho whole position._ This was refused,,and the miners declined to appoint representatives to the, tribunal, stating none of the men were in favour of arbitrating on the bank-to-bank question. Mr. Hughes said that whether or not the' men Were represented, the tribunal would sit on Wednesday. thFlaTest 'AN unexpected' development. - (Rec. November 28,10.40 p.m.) Sydney, November 28. The result of yesterday's Coal Conference created 1 further disappointment generarfy. It is felt that the parties are no nearer a settlement, inasmuch as there, is no guarantee that the miners will accept the tribunal's decision in the event of the claims not being granted. Reports from ihe various districts confirm this view. The men generally resent the tribunal, maintaining that further confereKcos" are useless, that nothing but the eight hours bank-to-bank concession will induce them to resume. Anyway, up alleviation of the trouble is possible, until next week. Mr. Hughes has fixed Tuesday for the tribunal's decision on the hours question. _ Even assuming that the men accept its ruling, anS re'sume immediately, several daysmust elapse before supplies will be available. Further restrictions in lighffflig and power will be necessary, as the stocks will barely last until Tuesday. Cabinet will meet to-night to discuss an unexpected development.' THE TROUBLE IN ENGLAND j_ SETTLEMENT PEOBABLE. (Rec. November £9, 1.30 a.m.) London, November 28. The .South Wales miners and the owners'conferred at Cardiff. Mr. Runciman (President of the Board of Trade) has summoned a new conference at London to-day. A settlement is now considered probable.