THE COAL STRIKE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 3, 28 November 1916, Page 7

THE COAL STRIKE.

.. . • Press Association —Copyright. Melbourne, November 27. During Friday’s Coal Conference Mr Hughes induced the miners’ representatives to despatch telegrams, authorising the handling of coal lor the transports and Small Arms Factory. I When the conference opened today, Mr Hughes stated that he had i received advices that tne men at Lithgow still refused to handle the coal, and declared it “black,” while certain men in the southern collieries W ere forced to cease, work. Such intimidation would delay a settlement for some weeks. A mining representative characterised the telegram as a “put-up job!” I Mr Hughes relied : There are many “put-up jobs.” dfcix weeks before the strike you told me if the “Yes” vote was carried at the Referendum, the minors would not work. It is obvious there is more in this business than meets the eye. The delegate denied the statement. Mr Hughes: It is a envious coincidence that at the meeting called to discuss conscription a coal strike was hinted at. The strike occurred on the very day it was forecasted.

The president of the Miners’ Federation practically confirms the proprietors’ fears that the men’s full demands have not been disclosed. The president said men could not continue upon the present wages, and were prepared to meet the proprietors and discuss the question after the hours’ dispute had been settled and work resumed.

Mr Hughes adjourned the conference until late in the afternoon, to enable both sides to put all their cards upon the table, and prepare a. sot of working conditions to hold good j until after the war. I The conference was unable to agree.

Mr Hughes has announced the determination of ilio Government to appoint a tribunal consisting of representatives of miners, owners, and the public, to consider firstly the bank-to-bank question and afterwards other matters. It will sit at Sydney as soon as possible, presumably on Wednesday.

MEN’S FURTHER DEMANDS. i Prose Association—Copyright. Sydney, November 27. The statement is freely made that the miners are determined to demand aSO per cent.’ 'ilicrease in wages as soon as the present matters in dispute are disposed of. This is understood to be proving one of the stumb-ling-blocks in the way of settlement.