THE AUSTRALIAN COAL STRIKE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 244, 20 November 1909, Page 2

THE AUSTRALIAN COAL STRIKE

THE PREMIER'S PROPOSALS. A BALLOT OK THE MINERS SUGGESTED. MINE PROPRIETORS' ACCEPTANCE. By Cable.—Press Assoclation.-Oopy right Received 10, 0 p.m. Sydney, November 19. The conference between the Premier (Mr. Wade) and the strike delegates did not take place to-day. Mr. Hilghcs received a letter from Mr. i\iii-'<i expressing disappointment that h' medical advisers prevented him from r »s them to-day, but fixing a meeting

fi to morrow. Mr. Wade suggests that the opinion of the miner* in the different districts should be taken as to whether they are agreeable to accept hi- proposals, adding that a ballot on the question would give n true indication of the opinions of jpersons most, vitally concerned. I A meeting of the northern colliery proprietors at Newcastle accepted Mr. Wade's proposal that they should consent to meet the men in conference simultaneous with the resumption of work.

The proprietors add a proviso that in the event of the conference not arriving at a settlement, the whole question in dispute be referred for adjudication under the Industrial Disputes Act.

AN UNCONDITIONAL CONFERENCE NO RESUMPTION OF WORK OTHERVl e A, A MASS MEETING CALLED. Received 19, 11.55 p.m. Sydney, November 19. The secretary of the Miners' Federation, referring to the northern proprietors' decision, declared that the miners would not resume work without an unconditional conference. The* vre not such fools, even if a conference were granted, to rush back witrnut *ome guarantee that their gru vi'iv-s iv.mld jic redressed. He rcnortcd that the miner-, were willing, if the proprietors would agwe upon n conference, to send sufficient mm into the piU lo thoroughly clean them and prepare them for a general resumntion. Meantime the conference would have a chance to arrive at a basis of settlement on the main points of the dispute. A mass meeting of the unions interested in Newcastle Trill he held to-mor-row to discuss the situation.

Owing to the abnormal supply of firewood in Sydney prices have slumped below the usual rates.

ENGLISH COAL BEING SENT TO AUSTRALIA. Received 10, 10.30 p.m. London, November ID, Several cargoes of gas coal have been purchased at 'Newcastleon-T'ne for Australia at 10s 8d to lip per ton, with freight 12s Od per ton. It 13 nimored that a syndicate l» being formed at Newcastle-on-Tyne to Bend large shipments of coal to Australia. It is also reported that Cardiff it : sending coal to New South Wales.

THE STRICKEN PREMIER. A BRIEF INTERVIEW GRANTED. Received 20, l.ii a.m. Sydney, November 19. Mr. \\ adc 9 condition is Utile improved. The doctors allow onlv twenty minutes' interview with the strike" delegates tomorrow. After that no visitors wil lie allowed to see him fo r a considerablc time. JAPANESE COAL BEING HURRIED"™ AUSTRALIA. London, November 19. Coal is being hurried from Japan and elsewhere to Australia. It is suggested thai the mail boats leaving EngUnd should take sufficient co„, \ 0 JJJS them hy replenishing at Colombo, to run from Ceylon to Australia and hack. Owing to the strike the Briti«h-India Company has raised its freights (weight linß 8 ,Ur<>niCnt> t0 Bri8b( "" ? by '»• *>■ The Orient Company, from next week, nines Its freight measurements to nl Australian ports by fifteen .hilling.. WORKING TWO JUNES. Sydney, November 1(1. An agreement has l w en drawn up for working two collieries bv the miner, in be title! n mm ." r P ° ints rCmai " t» on Mo'nday. ° P ° rat,onß ma - V ™*™< REGAINrNtTTRADE. AN OPPORTITNTTV FOR NEW ZEALAND. By Tclegraph.-Pre„ Association. , ~ Dunedin, Friday. In conversation with a Dailv Time. r~lntivo mtcrd s%™2 /general manager of the Westnort CbS not intend I, send any coat to Neweaste. t bid more than ir <. ou y £? supply the local demands. The gas Torn" P«n'e« which formerlv used \CcaX and Westport coal were now 2 on the latter company entlHv, atd hi same-remarks applied to horn, steam! ship Im.-fi and other customers. People had eomplained.when the company had Knocked off a shift at Cranif/ that -Newcastle coal was competing undulv and throwing men out of work. Tb*e opportunity was now presented to regain what had been lost, and if the miners supported the company it might »• able to fmd full employment lor all the men available.

jN.Z. SEAMEN ASKED TO COME OUT. A BALLOT TO BE TAKEN. Auckland, Last Night. A telegram was received by the local .ranch of the Seamen's Union from the Inion executive in Dunedin to-dav aukMis' 'f the seamen engaged on: hitcrcolonml vessels would come out on strike, if cal cl upon in sympathy with tit Newcastle miners. The officiate decline to give any information, but it .s underwood that while snme favors* the strike the majority .were againrt it" A ballot is to be taken, commenchi to morrow.