N.S.W. COLLIERY STRIKE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2239, 16 November 1907, Page 2

N.S.W. COLLIERY STRIKE.

AFFECTS ALL BRANCHES OF INDUSTRY. FREIGHTS AND PASSENGER FARES RAISED.

POSITION IN NEW ZEALAND. United Press Association —Copyright SYDNEY, Nov. 15. A number of steam colliers 'have been laid up, and arrangements are, ,being made to curtail the ferry services. . . , , . Amongst the large industries threatened with stoppage if the strike continues are the breweries. Tho shortage of coal threatens to endanger the water supply to tho 'higher levels of tho city and suburbs. The Labor Council adopted a resolution that tho Government should acquire the mines and supply all State requirements. There are nearly 70 vessels dn Newcastle harbor waiting for coal. The effects of tho strike are commencing to bo felt in Sydney in earnest. The price of best coal, delivered, has advanced to £2 per ton, and small to 30s. Firewood has also strongly advanced in price. MELBOURNE, Nov. 15. Tho price of screened Newcastle coal is ~35s i>er ton, with little inclination to sell. A further advance is expected. The price of local coal has advanced 10s. Inter-State shipping companies have made an advance of 10 per cent, all round in freights, half-,si-crow n per ton to Sydney and Adelaide, and 5s to Brisbane and Fremantle. Arrangements are in progress for laying up a number of inter-Stato steamers. ADELAIDE, Nov. 15.

The shortage of coal is already felt. The price of ooal has made a big jump. PERTH, Nov. 15. Tlio Timber Workers’ Union voted £SO to tlio Newcastle miners. The shipping companies have raised the fares and freights. NEWCASTLE, Nov.. 15. The colliery proprietors decline to give, any information concerning yesterday’s meeting. It is understood they decided to confer with the miners conditionally upon their returning to work, and agreeing to give 14 days’ notice if they subsequently decided to strike; also, that an impartial tribunal might adjudicate on the dispute, if the Miners’ Federation put up a substantial bond as a guarantee that the miners would agree to the decision given. The chairman of the Proprietors’ Association interviewed Mr. Wade, the Premier, to-day. The miners are also to interview him. The Lambton pit has ceased work.

RESULT OF CONFERENCE .A SECRET.

(Received 1.32 a m., Nov. 10.) SYDNEY, Nov. 15.

The result of the coal owners and miners’ representatives’ interviews with the Premier to-day is kept secret, but it is stated everything is in abeyance till • Monday.

Press Association. .AUCKLAND, Nov. 15. Tilie manager of the Kiripaka Goal Company states that he has received several cables from Australia for coal supplies at advanced prices. He could have made a contract, for 4,000 tons in one line, bait declined, as it would involve neglect of local cus--tomeirs. He mentioned that the Union Company’s steamers had been supplied with Kiripaka coal for the last two years for voyages from Auckland to Australia and the Islands. DUNEDIN, Nov. 15. The Star says that as the West Coast will become the centre of t-lie Ylemaml for bunker coal during the strike in Australia, an increase of the cost, of New Zealand steam coal is inevitable. Meanwhile freights or passenger fares will not be increased on the intercolonial steamers, though a protracted strike •mightrender that course inevitable. In the Australian coastal trade already the companies have raised fares 10 ,per cent, and freight 25 per cent. In the Tasmaiiian-Australian trade the Union Company will keep the most importsnt passenger services going, though possibly tlie number of sailings will be reduced. Tlie s.s. Karitaife, which was engaged in the coal-carrying trade between Newcastle and Tasmania, (Will be brought to New Zealand. >The s.s. Mararo i was to have been placed in the Syd-nev-Hobart trade next week, hut the decision has been cancelled till tlie trouble is over. NAPIER. Nov. 15. As the result of tlio miners’ strike in New South Wales, a large consumer to-day received advice that all previous quotations had been cancelled.