THE AUSTRALIAN COAL STRIKE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 250, 27 November 1909, Page 2

THE AUSTRALIAN COAL STRIKE

CONFERENCE yOVDA*;. STOPPAGE OF COAL OARKIAUK STRIKE LEADERS INDIUNANT. By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyngn. Sydney, November 2b\ The Hon. Lee, acting-Premier, asks both sides of the strike to meet him on Saturday. it is considered very unlikely that the meeting will have any result. The proprietors show no intention of departing from the 'position they have taken up. The strike leaders are indignant at the notion of the Railway Commissionera in regard to the haulage of coal. Mr. Hughes claims that it amounts *o| taking sides against the men, and will make a harder task for those who want peace and not war. It is rumored that the strike congress is considering the i|iiestion of calling out the railway men. The position is considered more serious than at any previous l time. The (ias Company lias now only n three weeks' supply of coal, and tn< Water Sewerage hoard a seven week., supply. Preparations are being iniide to niateiially curtail the country railway services.

The steamer Kailangata's crew will be paid off to-morrow. The vessel is to he laid up. The strike committee reports that funds are coming in well.

RAILWAY COMMISSION'S EX-

PLANATION. TRAIN SERVICE TO HE CURTAILED. Received 27, 12.40 a.m. Sydney, November 26. Messrs. Hunce and Auckland, the Railway Commissioners, state it is inaccurate .to say they refuse to haul coal. What they'decided to do was not to use up their slocks of coal in the haulage ol coal unless they were allowed to have first call on the supplies taken from the mines at a reasonable price. The wool -buyers have decided to refrain from purchasing at the sales' owing to the strike. The Railway Commissioners 'have decided to curtail the railway train service owing to the shortage of coal.