THE COAL STRIKE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 609, 14 December 1909, Page 3

THE COAL STRIKE.

WHARF LABOURERS. DECIDE TO RESUME WORK. Sydnev, Dec. 11. -At a meeting of the Wharf Labourers’Union it was decided, by a large majority, to abide by the decision of the Strike Congress, and to resume work until directed to stop. Mr Hughes, in the course of a strong speech, said if they rejected the policy of the Congress they would bring about, not only their own defeat, but social disaster In the late tramway strike, the union had been led away by the damnably pernicious doctrines of the Industrial Workers oi: the World. That organisation was the curse of the country. They were face to face with a gigantic struggle. They did not want a general strike, which would bring about violence and bloodshed. The arrest of the leaders was a hideous blunder, and the introduction ot free labour would lead to riots. The result of the above meeting of wharf labourers was anxiously awaited, as there was some doubt as to whether they would prove willing to commit the conduct of their affairs to the Strike Congress. Mr M’Gowen, Leader of the Parliamentary Labour Party, informed an interviewer that the Labour party repudiated revolutionery tactics, and supported the Strike Congress. THE GAS SUPPLY. Sydney, Dec. ii. Representatives of the Gas Employees’ Union interviewed the Strike Congress, and, it is understood, agreed to abide by the decision of the Congress, which is not in favour of the gasmen coming out. The Government threatens to deal severely with the leaders of the gas employees if the city is plunged into darkness. THE RAILWAY SERVICE. Sydney, Dec. 11. The Railway Department, has declined to provide the usual special train to bring the English mails from Albury. Melbourne, Dec. 11. Owing to the shortening of the train service, railway tricycles are being utilised in some districts to maintain postal facilities. MEDIATORY EFFORTS. ' Sydney, Dec. 11. The Acting-Premier, Mr Lee, stated in the Legislative Assembly that the Government had reached the end of its tether as regards mediatory efforts. The Government, he added, had received six different offers to indent all the coal it needed for public purposes, and more if necessary. MEN THROWN OUT OF WORK. Sydney, Dec. ir. The Sydney Meat Preserving Works have been closed for want of coal, and 600 employees have been thrown out of employment. Reports from all sides indicate a shrinkage in trade and a shortening of hands. The condition of Newcastle trade is particularly bad. It is stated that the miners’ mines are yielding about a thousand pounds weekly. Contributions to the strike funds from other sources are increasing. PROSPECTS VERY SHADOWY. Sydney, Dec. 12. According to their promise, the ' Southern proprietors have prepared their pits for restarting in . the morning, btit the possibility of 1 the miners resuming work is very shadowy.