THE COAL STRIKE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 61, 15 November 1907, Page 3

THE COAL STRIKE.

A GRAVE POSITION. INDUSTRIES AND SHIPPING THREATENED. Sydney, November It. The only colliery that is not idle in the Newcastle district is the Lamhton, which is working "on tribute." The latest developments are not of a reassuring character. The miners' committee carried resolutions appealing to miners in the Southern and Western districts and all coalmining <yntrcs in the Commonwealth to assist in upholding the cause of unionism.

It was also decided to send cables regaining the situation to the principal unions in England, America, New Zealand, and other countries, askin" for sympathy and assistance. °

A farther resolution was adopted. •Th»t in the event of no settlement being reached to-day, all memlwr# lie called upon to cease work and every constitutional effort be made to prevent the production of coal while the struggle lasts."

The President of the Miners' Federation says the resolutions do not mean that the federation does not desire a peaceful solution. It is quite prepared to come to a settlement on the lines suggested by the Premier. The proprietors meet to-day to distn»« the situation. The result is anxiously awaited. The efforts of the mediator are being continued with a •riew to arranging a conference. The Premier, Mr. Wade, ha* expressed his willingness to attend such a conference If lie is asked.

There is an enormous demand for toal in Sydney. An advance of 70 per cent, on ordinary prices is being paid for supplies. If the strike continues dislocation of the ferry traffic is threatened. There Is little more than a week's supply in luuid. An economic service is being arranged.

The failure of the coal supply will ftliO be 4 serious blow to the iron foundries. It will mean throwing out of !irork MOO hands.

The gas company and railirays have » month's, supply In stock.

The -risible supply of coal at NewM*tle fa only a few thousand tons. Fancy prices have been offered with(Ht finding sellers. Where possible, vessels are being diverted to other porta. Besides miners, nine hundred trimmers laid other* engaged in loading are renBered idle.

The attitude of the Southern miners b watched with interest. Mount Kembla's decision to strike in sympathy is confirmed. Other lodges will bold meetin*. Delegates from the Northern talwri are visiting the various lodges support. , Jt Js rumored that a secret agreebent exists amongst Northern, Southern, and Western miners in regard to Combined action in strikes.

RAILWAY REDUCING HANDS. WORKIK6. HISTORICAL ADVICE. Received Nov. 15, 1.3 a.m. Sydney, Novemlier H. The railways are reducing their hands ' It Newcastle owing to the strike. There is no truth in the statement Oat any Southern collieries hare struck. Mr. Bowling, President of the Northern Miners' Federation, in the course of ft speech, said if it was to be a prolonged •take, his advice to the men would be the same as given to the English dock laborers by Cardinal Manning—that no f man had a right to let his wife and / children starve whilst they knew of a f pound of food to satisfy their hunger. ' THE PREMIER TAKES ACTION. COMPULSORY ARBITRATION. Received Nov. 13, 1.3 a.m. Sydney, November 14. The Premier stated that if the owners fend men did not come, to a settlement to-morrow he would appoint a compulsory tribunal, and, if necessary, pass Bill at a sitting to confer the nm♦ary power. EFFECT IX VICTORIA. Melbourne, November 14. A meeting of steamship owners decided, in consequence of the trouble at V Newcastle, immediately to lay up nineteen steam colliers employing nearly six .. hundred officers and men. > Supplies of coal are light. If the strike continues, the inter-State traffic jrijJ suffer. The Fyansford paper-mills have been Closed /or want of coal. I EFFECT ON NEW ZEALAND , SHIPPING. Per Press Association. AufViand, Thursday. A member of the firm of J. J. Craig And Qh stated to a reporter that twenty Yeuel* were engaged in the coal trade between Auckland and Newcastle. All Of that would be laid up as far as coal Cargoes were concerned. There would lie'no rile in sailing freights from Auckland, but difficulty would be experienced I fa' securing return cargoes for the vestols. If-the vessels were diverted to Other trades it might be difficult to obtain a coal tonnage at the end of the *Wk*. Dunedin, Thursday. Hr James Mills says the Newcastle Strike will be a severe blow to shipping Companies, but many will be kept going (With New Zealand coaL The Union Company's steamers will run aa usual, tint at enormously increased expendipuiWln, Last Night. Inquiries made in l)unedin regarding e Newcastle strike tend to show tint position is regarded as serious, but local supplies are considered sufficient to Avert dislocation of trade for some jWeeks. One prominent business man jleclares that the railways have about months' supplies in hand. The princoaling depots, Messrs. John Mill Co., who have Important contracts supplying the principal Southern gasworks with Newcastle coal, estimate K that there are six weeks' supplier in r Imwl Mr. Mill stated that his firm re- j ceived a cablegram to-day asking it to •Range for a cargo of 5000 tons of [Westport coal for the steamer Harbart, >OW at a Northern port, but it was Sponsible to fill the order. Wellington, Last Night. Inquiries made in Wellington as to the extent to which New Zealand wilt be affected by the New South Wales . ojl Strik; elicited *he statement that no dearch of coal will he experienced here. It is claimed that most of the mines tould easily increase their output, ami so compensate for the cessation of supplies from Newcastle. Lately, tno, thp Union Steamship Company has been bringing in big cargoes of coal from Newcastle, and it is stated that there are probably bigge»' reserves in New Zen Imil to-day than has been the ca*e for years past. The strike, will not affect Jptercolonlal service carried on by the Union Company and Huddart Parker steamers.