THE NEW CASTLE STRIKE. SERIOUS DISTURBANCES. THE GOVERNOR'S PROCLAMATION.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 305, 6 October 1888, Page 4

THE NEW CASTLE STRIKE. SERIOUS DISTURBANCES. THE GOVERNOR'S PROCLAMATION.

The position of affairs in regard bo' the strike of the Newcastle colliers exhibits very little actual change, although there are indications visible which lead to a hopeful feeling that the difficulty may be brought to a termination before so very long. Twenty additional police have been sent to Newcastle, making an available force of 40 men in all. A meeting of nonassociated colliery owners was held on the 17th, when the following resolution was carried : — " That, in consequence of the miners having declined our ofl'er of lOs a a day of eight hours' work, we are now determined to use every legitimate moans in our power to procure meo bo work our mines, and with a view to carrying that intention into effect, we jointly advertise throughout the whole of the colonies for 2,0C0 or 3,000 mineis." At Greta, on the same day, one of the non-unionists engaged in filling small coal ventured into the town, when he was seized by the unionists, stripped of all his clothing, and otherwise maltreated. Another nonunionist was struck with a stone, and had his head cut open. It was, however, on Tuesday, September 18th, that the spirit of rioting appeared to be at its worst. On that morning some half-dozen non-union men were taken to the New Lambton pit, at Adamstown, escorted by 30 police, under Sub-Inspector Lynch. Vory early in the morning, the miners with., their wives assembled in large numbers, and hooted the non-union men. By 11 o'clock the number had increased to over 600, and a sort of meeting was held by them, after which an agitator named Firth came forward and demanded that a deputation should be allowed to interview the nonunion men. This was declined, and all remained quiet until alter the workmen had had their lunch. By this timo they fouud themselves surrounded by the miners, most of whom were armed wi*-h heavy sticks. Still the men went on working without regaining the taunts made to them. Stones were thrown, but the firmness of Sub-Inspector Lynch kept the rioters for some time in check. The last truck was filled, and the men took refuge in the blacksmith's shop. It was found, however, that it would be impossible to get the men away safely from the infuriated minei'S, and a message was sent to Newcastle for a detachment of the Permanent Force. In the meantime the miners demanded that the non-union men should promise not to go back to work. The police were so completely overpowered, and the danger of the men being torn to pieces by the savage mob was so great, that the frightened men were compelled to give the promise required of them. Had this not been done, no doubt the men would have been massacred long before the Permanent Forco could have reached them. On the following day threo men were brought up at the New castle Police Court, charged with participating in the riots. They were remanded, bail being allowed by two of the unpaid Justices in opposition to the Police Magis trate, Mr Mair. The owner of the Jsew Lambton Mine, Mr Brown, determined to go on with loading the small coal, and several of the non-associated collieries resolved to resume work under what was very much the old agreement of 1872.

THE GOVERNOR'S PROCLAMATION. On the 12bh a proclamation w issued by the Governor to the following effect : — " Whereas certain persons have, by combining and acting together, endeavoured to intimidate and oppressively interfere with certain other of her Majesty's ubjects in the lawful pursuit of their occupations as workmen in certain of the coal mines in the county of Northumberland and other parts of the colony ; and whereas there is reason to believe that many of the persons, either guilty themselves of suob acts of intimidation andunlawful interference, or countenanc ing thesameby variousactsof disorderly conduct, have not duly considered the criminal character of their procedingcs, or the penalties attaching to their illegal acts : While much concern is felt on account of the recent disturbance to a great industry in the county of Northumberland and elsewhere, and the consequent injury and distress which must inevitably fall upon many families and large classes of unoffending persons : It is nevertheless hereby notified that all pei'sous offending as hereinbefore mentioned, or interrupting other persons in the honest pursuit of their lawful occupations, by acts of intimidation or violence, or by disorderly conduct of any kind, will be rigorously prosecuted as the law directs. And all persons are hereby warned to desist from such unlawful practices : and all subjects of her Majesty are called upon to render assistance in protecting persons from outrage or molestation, and in maintaining law and order. And it is further notified that if any attempt is made to interfere with the lawful pursuits of her Majesty's peaceable subjects, the most stringent measures will be adopted to maintain the law and to afford complete security to all persons engaged in their lawful callings. Given under my hand and seal, etc." On the same night the whole of the members of the New South Wales Artillery were despatched by steamer to Newcastle, in charge of Colonel Roberts, C.M.G., to assist the civil authorities in preserving order. Work was resumed at New Lambton on the 20fch ; but as there was a large guard of the Artillery present everything passed oft quietly. Three more men were arrested and brought before the Newcastle Police Court, charged with having taken part in the riot of the 8th. They were also remanded and admitted to bail. Several other arrests were to be made.

MINERS' MANIFESTO. On the 21sb the miners advertised the following as a counter notice to the associated colliery proprietors' intimation regarding the withdrawal of their agreement after 1st October : — " The associated miners hereby notity that they are willing to resume work at any of the" collieries in the Northern district subject to the terms and conditions contained in the agreement as submitted to the associated proprietors on the 7th September instant. A copy of the agreement can be seen at the committee rooms, Tattersall's Hotel, Newcastle, daily, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m." On the same day our special reporter telegraphed as follows : — " It is four weeks to-day since the strike was entered upon, and not a sixpence of the funds' has yet been distributed. The miners in some quarters are sorely punched, and it is nob surprising that there is a considerable amount of dissatisfaction amongst them. Tho effect of the strike upon the business .of "Newcastle will be best imagined from the fact that the community has suffered the- loss in circulation of no, less a sum than. £70,000, or .£35,000 a fortnight, which\is paid in wages by the masters of this' district. 1 I have heard on the } besb authority that /the miners at the -two larger i collieries; have signified tlieir willingness to, go to 1 woi'kon /'the old agreement, of ,the<

interference s of the 'delegates' - board. In one of these two the miners have declared that they will stand' or fall with their proprietors in any difficulty thab may hereafter occur." w i , , ■ ' ,

THE MEDIATION COMMITTEE. On Monday the Mediation Committee were busy in trying to bring about an agreement for the rosumption of work on the basis 1 ' of a modification of the proposals of both the masters and the men. Our special reporter telegraphed that it will probably consist in the entire elimination o£ the masters' maximum standard seam, and also tho injection of the miners' minimum, but it will uphold the masters' minimum of 5ft., which has hitherto prevailed. The various measurements of dirt or deficiency in the standard seam will undergo a good deal of modification. On the whole, the members of the Mediation Committee fully, believe that their efforts will prove fruitful Twenty-seven laboui'ers arrived at Newcastle on Monday morning by train to remove small coal from the Newcastle Coalmining Company's mine. They were hooted by the miners, but, owing to the presence of the military and police, no serious disturbance occurred.