THE COAL-MINERS' STRIKE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 61, 19 November 1907, Page 3

THE COAL-MINERS' STRIKE

POSITION STILL STRAINED. QUEENSLAND MINES ALSO CLOSED. BEPORTED PURCHASE UK A STATE MINE. HUNDREDS OF SEAMEN IDLE. MANUFACTORIES DISLOCATED. Sydney, November 18. Though the strike outlook is considered a l;ttle more hopeful, the position is still very strained. The chairman of the Proprietors' Allocution states that the Association favors submitting the dispute to the State Arbitration Court, lie «ees no reason for the specially constituted Court proposed by the Premier. Reports from the southern and western districts indicate that the chances of a sympathetic strike are now more ' remote.

The price of coal at Sydney is quoted at £39 to £3 ss, and £4 for large, and £2 OS to £2 15s for small. Unlews there is an early >et l lenient of the dispute the prices are likely to reach famine level.

The shipping trade is becoming dislocated. Fifteen large steamers are now laid up, and their crews, numbering four hundred, have lieen paid off. Fears of the partial failure of the interState service led to considerable speculative buying of produce. Probably one outcome of the strike will be the closing of some flour mills and an advance in the price of flour. It is reported that, as a result of the strike, the Government lias purchased the Coal Creek Company's mine. HOW MELBOURNE IS FARING. ' Melbourne, November 18. Owing to the laying up of twenty steam colliers and other inter-State . Teasels over eight hundred men are rendered idle, besides several hundred coal tampers. The Union Sompany has informed the Postmaster-General that it is impossible to get coal for.the Moana at Brisbane. She will therefore have to go direct to New Zealand. The Department is inquiring into the matter. Steamers plying on the lakes are forced to use wood fael. One firm in the city is keeping the works going with shavings from sawmills. Sydney, November 18. The Union Steamship Company and the Hnddart-Parker Company announce that all fares between Sydney and New Zealand ports are increased. Hobart, November 18. The Tasmanian shipping service is being curtailed owing to the "scarcity of coal. Brisbane, November 18. The Yalta and Paramatta mines have bees closed. NOT YET SETTLED. ' Received Nov. 19, 0.8 a.m. Sydney, November 18Meetings of the proprietors and miners, lasting in each instance several boon, discussed the Premier's proposals. 1 Both sides decline to give information. Interviewed, the Premier stated that 1 as he had to see \*>th sides again to- ' morrow, it was not desirable to give details of to-day's proceedings. Fair progress was made, but the question was : not settled. He hoped to make "an announcement to-morrow. Per Press Association. Dunedin, Last Night. In consequence of the coal strike, the Union Company has decided on an allfraud increase in freight awt passenger rates to take effect almost immediate- 1 fr- Passages from Sydney and Mel- 1 oonrue to New Zealand are to be in««««ed by and freight 1 1 (Hi the same ™_rmtes between Sydney and M*l- ' DOOTne and Tasmania are similarly inCtMed. The directors hare not yet ' determined whether an increase of rate* between New Zealand and Australia will be Bade. The rates on coastal traffic nt New Zealand will not be inc-re:. It is understood that the Hudd >n Parker Coy. has agreed to a simiTar increase.