THE COAL STRIKE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 240, 16 November 1909, Page 2

THE COAL STRIKE.

THE SITUATION EXPLAINED. By Cable.—Press Association—Copyright Sydney, November IS. Ilhc Sydney Aloriiiug Herald eays it is known Unit alternatives to the general strike were proposed on Saturday at the conference, but that tbey failed. The situation appears to 'be this'; The seamen were mot in favor of an immediate strike, but tbe waterside workers were; therefore they determined to ascertain whether the waterside workers would strike and whether, if they did, others would join them. Tlio waterside workers met this morning prior to the reassembling of the conference. The Herald adds that the waterside workers throughout Australia are almost certain to leave work tomorrow. The Broken llill miner*) are also determined to strike if the waterside workI ers coanc out. I All the western collieries are idle. The northern proprietors have decided Ito pay up the men's back money. This I amount is about £20,000.

A m:w DEVELOPMENT. ATTirrUDK OF TIIK WATKKKIDF. WOItKKHS. deceived November IS, 3.5 p-m. Sydney, November lii. A new development occurred this morning, when the waterside workers carried a resolution reposing confidence in hhe-ir own executive in connection with the strike. I An amendment that they should decide by the decision of the ablegates' conference Bitting durrag the past day or two was negatived. Simultaneous meetings of the waterside workers will be held in all the States to formulate common action. Thus no extension strike, for a few days at any rate, is likely.

MASS MEETING OF WATERSIDE WOKKEKS. DECIDE TO KESUIIE WOKK. Received November 15, .10.3 p.m. Sydney, November 13. A mass Electing uf waterside workers, after rejecting tilie amendment i'l favor of abiding by any decision Saturday's' adjourned strike conference may arrive at, carried a resolution expressing eonlidenee in the council of Hie Waterside Workers' Federation Executive, and agreeing lli.it the men he called out when tiiat body thinks lit. This resolution was reported to the strike lonl'eiI euce, which re-assembled in the atter- | noon.

The waterside workers in the mean time are .resuming work.

The Broken Hill combined unions re commended a levy of five shillings per fortnight for the coal minora' u'trikc fund.

GENERAL STRIKE DEFEUKEI). Received November 10, 12.20 a.m. Sydney, Last Night. The decision of the strike conference to defer a general strike until another effort was made to reach settlement relieved the anxious situation. Wilien the conference adjourned tonight Mr. Hughes (president of the Waterside Workers' I'nion) made an oil'icial statement to the ell'ect flint 10plies from all brandies of the Waterside Workers' Federation had been favorable to tarrying into ell'ect the resolution passed at Tuesday's conference. It remained only for to-day's conference to recommend that action should be taken. Details were fully discussed and a determination reached satisfactory to both the Seamen's I'nion (whose position in some respects is different to that of other waterside workers) and the allied unions. Everything is in readiness to give ell'ect to Tuesday's decision. The conference, however, was desirous of a peaceful and speedy settlement, and was not despairing thereof. In spite of the mineowners' refusal of the men's reasonable requests, the conference was very anxious,' to do everything possible to prevent the dispute extending any further, and enabling the parties to come together for a peaceful settlement. 'Hie result of the deliberations was the adoption of the following resolutions "Dliat we use every legitimate means to brins about an open,conference between the mineowners and men. Failing this, to call upon the Government to take over the mines and work them in the interest of the general community."

Mr. Hughes pointed out that this would' give Air. Hade (the Premier; an opportunity of taking action, which he declared his limernmenl was readv to take.

l'ho conference meets again to-morrow forenoon.

Air. Hughes stated that in the event of negotiations l failing all was in readiness to call a general strike, lie denied the rumor that the seamen were opposed to (inc. strike. They were ready aim anxious to come out.

AX ILL WIXD, liTft " By Telegraph—Press Association. Westport, November 15. The Newcastle strike tons caused an increased demand for Westport coal, The Westport Coal Company has orders for 14,000 tons thW week, and is putting on a double shift at the Millerton mine. The Hail way Department is making big demands on the company. The Union Company has ordered a week's output from tho Stockton Company aaid the Scddonville Ktiile mines. BotJi Mm Westport and Stockton companies are advertising f ( , r extra men.

ATTITCDK. OK Nl'jW ZF.ALANI) -MI.NKUS. friIKH!. CO-OPERATION LNIJIKKLV| ~ Auckland, Last Night. I here is wry little danger at the present time of the New Zealand coal miners co-operating with the Newcastle men to the extent of striking. The attitude of tiie miners of the dominion is om- of passive B ynipatliy, no more. J nose tacts were made. .Icar to a Herald representative to-day by Mr. K. Manning, general sccrclarv of tlic New Zealand Miners' Federation. "The oulv danger of us deciding to go out would I"' "i Hie event of New Zealand mineowners attciiipling |o „|iip mal to Newcastle," said Mr. Maiufing.