N.S.W. COLLIERY STRIKE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2238, 15 November 1907, Page 2

N.S.W. COLLIERY STRIKE.

PRACTICALLY GENERAL,

BIG RISE IN PRICE OF COAL,

SHIPPING AFFECTED.

United Press Association—Copyright SYDNEY, Nov. -.1. The only colliery not idle in Newcastle district is the Lambton, which is working on tribute. The latest developments are not of a reassuring character. The Miners’ Committee carried a resolution appealing to miners in the Southern end Western districts, and in a,! coalmining centres of the Commonwealth, to assist in upholding the cause of unionisin'; also, to cable the situation to the principal unions in England, America,. New Holland, and other centres, asking symjrituy and assistance. A further i{-solu-tion was adop'eted that in the evert of no settlement being readied today, all members he called upon to cease work, and every consfihiuo.vii effort be made to prevent the production of coal while the struggle lasts. The president of "he Miners’ Federation says that the resolutions do not mean that the Federation docs not desire a peaceful solution. It is quite prepared to come to a settlement on the ines suggested by the Premier. The proprietors meet to-day to discuss the situation. The result is anxiously awaited. Efforts afc mediation are being continued, with the view of- arranging a conference, which Mr. Wade (tho Premier) has expressed . f;s willingness to attend if aske-.1. lucre is an enormous demand for coil in Sydney. An advance of 70 per cent on ordinary prices has been paid fer supplies. If the strike continues dislocation of the ferry traffic is threatened.- There -is little, more than a week’s supply in hand. An economical service is being arranged. The failure of the coal supply will also be a serious blow to the iron. Laundries, and mean throwing out of work 2000 hands.

The Gas Company and -railways •have a month’s supply in stock. Tho visible supply of coal at Newcastle is only.a few thousand tons. Fancy prices have been offered, without finding sellers. Where possible vessels are being diverted to < ther ports. Besides the miners, 900 trimmers and others engaged in loading have also been rendered idle. of the Southern miners is watched with interest. Mount Kembla’s decision to strike in sympathy is confirmed. Other lodges are to hold meetings. Delegates from the Northern miners are Visiting various lodges, seeking support. It is rumored that a secret agreement exists -amongst the Northern t Southern, and Western miners 4 n. regard to combined action in a strike. MELBOURNE, Nov. 14.

At a meeting of steamship owners it was decided, in consequence of the trouble at Newcastle, to immediately lay up 19 steam colliers, employing nearly 600 officers and' men. The supplies of coal are light. If the strike . continues inter-State traffic will suffer. The Fyansford paper mills have closed for want of coal. It is suggested that Mr Deakin be asked to act as mediator.

SIGNIFICANT REMARK BY A c LEADER.

GOVERNMENT INTEND TO INTERVENE.

(Received 1.3 a.m., Nov. 15.) SYDNEY, Nov. 14,

Railway hands are being reduced at Newcastle owing to the strike’ There is no truth in the.statement that any of the southern collieries have struck.

Air. Bowling, President of the Northern Miners’ Federation, in the course of a speech, said if it was to be a prolonged strike his advice to the men would be the same as that given to the English dock laborers by Cardinal Manning-—“that no man had a right to let his wife and children starve whilst they knew of a pound of food to satisfy hunger.” The Premier stated that if the owners and men did not come to a settlement to-morrow he woujd appoint' a compulsory tribunal, and if necessary pass a Bill at a sitting to confer the necessary r ower.

Press Association.'*

'IAUCKLAND ,©Nov. 14. A member of the firm of J. J. Craig and Co. stated to a reporter that there are twenty vessels engaged in the coal trade between Auckland and all of which will be laid up as far as coal cargoes are concerned. There would •be no rise iii sailing freights from Auckland, but difficulty would be experienced in securing return cargo. With vessels diverted to other trades it might ,be .difficult to obtain coal tonnage at the end of the strike.

DUNEDIN, Nov. 14. 'Sir James Mills says the Newcastle strike will be a severe blow to the shipping companies, ■ hut many vessels will be kept going with New Zealand coal. The Union Company’s steamers will he kept running as i,sual, but at an enormously increased expenditure.

LARGE RESERVES IN NEAV ZEALAND. AA’ELLINGTON, Nov 14. Enquiries made in Wellington as to the extent to which New Zealand will bo affected by the New South Wales coal strike, elicited the statement that no dearth of coal will be experienced here. It is claimed that most of the mines could easily increase their output, and so compensate for tlio cessation of supplies from Newcastle. Lately, too, the Union Steamship Company has been bringifig in big cargoes of, coal from -Newcastle,. and it is stated that "i there are probably bigger reserves in New Zealand to-day than has been the case for years past. The strike will not affect the intercolonial service carried on by the Union Company and HuddartParker steamers.

POSITION IN Tipi SOUTH. DUNEDIN, Nov. 14. Inquiries made in Dunedin regarding the Newcastle strike tend to chow that tlie position is regarded as serious, but local supplies are considered sufficient to avert a dislocation of trade for some weeks. One prominent business man declares that tlie railways have about a month’s full supplies in hand at the principal coaling depots. Messrs John Mills and Co., who have important contracts for supplying the principal southern gas works witli Newcastle coal, estimate that there are six weeks’ supplies in hand. Mr. Mill stated that liis firm received a cablegram to-day asking it to arrange for a cargo of 5000 tons of AVestport coal for the steamer Hobart, now at Northern ports, but it was impossible to fill the order.