BRITISH COAL STRIKE

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 41, 12 November 1926, Page 9

BRITISH COAL STRIKE

CAUSES SHORTAGE OF , SHIPS TO TRANSPORT AUSTRALIA’S WHEAT GREAT INCREASE IN CHARTERING RATES As a result’ of the ; -British coal strike difficulty Is bcing experienced in chartering . sufficient suitable steamers to lift Australian wheat cargoes during tht coming season,'and chartering rates have risen rapidly. • —__ : *BT TELEGBAPK.-rPR.ESS ASSOCIATION, CppTHiotrrSydney,'November 11. Owing to the coal strike in England and the fact that’ many, vessels are engaged in carrying coal,to England at handsome rates, considerable difficulty is being.experienced in, chartering sufficient suitable steamers to. lift wheat cargoes during - the coming season, which commences-in the middle of December. 'As a result of the shortage rates have risen rapidly.- When chartering commenced three months ago rates were 355. and 375.- fid. At the end of October owners were asking-. 555. for; med-ium-sized steamers, and 50s. to 51s. 3d. for large steamers, but shippers and the pooling interests are holding, off. Parcel rates for December and Januaryare now 475. '6d. and for February and March 455. Shippers point out that even if the coal miners in England return to work immediately the shortage of’ vessels for wheat cargoes will not be relieved till later in-the season. Wheat is coming in early in New South Wales. A good harvest is anticipated, the estimated return being 50,000,000 bushels. MINERS’ DELEGATE CONFERENCE CONSIDERS OWNERS’ OFFER INCREASED NUMBER OF ' MEN AT WORK. London, November 10. /At the miners’ delegate conference in London the president of the Miners’ Federation, Mr. Herbert Smith, explained that the executive, in negotiat-ing-with the Government, had reached the end of their tether, and it became necessary to receive further instructions in order to proceed. Mr. A. J. Cook (secretary) gave an account of the and also presented reports from . districts showing a considerable increase in the number of those who had returned?'to work, but he said, they were much below the official figures. Mr. Cook read a letter from the Government, outlining the owners’ offer, which included district settlements with a right to refer disputed points to an independent chairman; also a minimum wage scale. The conference adjourned till tomorrow. The next step is uncertain. It is considered , probable that the conference itself will decide the policy, .but may refer the decision to the districts or a ballot of miners. Mr. .Cook annarently indicated that the miners .still demanded a national tribunal for the purpose of reviewing and co-ordinating district settlements.