THE AUSTRALIAN COAL STRIKE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 263, 13 December 1909, Page 2

THE AUSTRALIAN COAL STRIKE

— —• i\o IMPROVEMENT IN THE 1

POSITION, j UNSUCCESSFUL MEDIATORY 3 EFFORTS. I OFFERS OF OUTSIDE COAL. By Cable.—Preaa A**oei*tioa.-Copyrigt Sydney, December 11. The Hon. Wade, Premier of New South Wales, is steadily improving. He has booked passages for himself and laniily to New Zealand by Wednesdays uoat, but considers it doubtful if he will be able to go unless there is an improvement in the strike position. Mr. Lee, acting-Premier, stated in the Assembly that the Government had reached the end of its tether as regards mediatory efforts. The Uovernni'int had six different offers to-indent all the coal needed for public purpose* tod more if necessary. Mr. McGowan informed an interview -v that the Labor Party repudiated revolutionary tactics, but supported the strife congress. Representatives of the Gas Employees' Union interviewed the strike oongrt-i", It is understood they agreed to abids by the decision of the eongress, which J is not in favor of the gas men com ng A out. M The Government threatens to deal ii- JM vcrcly with the leaders of the gas t'mployees If the city 1* plunged in dai)<liCSJ. i

The Railway Department hat declined to provide the usual special train to bring the English mails from Albury. It is stated that the miners are yieldijg about CIOOO weekly in contributions to tu strike. Funds from other sources are increasing. The Sydney meat-preserving works have closed down for want of coal, ani SOO imployetß are W'a. Reports on all aides indicate a shrinkage in trade and a shortening of ha nil. The condition of the Newcastle tudc ' is particularly bad. Melbourne, December 11. Owing to shortening the train service, raiivay tricycles are utilised in some districts to maintain postal facilities.

POLICY OF THE CONGRESS. FACE TO FACE WITH A GIGANTIC STRUCULE.

A HIDEOUS BLUNDER.

Received 12, 6.5 p.m. Sydney, December 12. A meeting of the Wharf Laborers' Union decided by a large majority to the decision of the ctrike eon- < greßs to resume work until directed to stop. Mr. Hughes, M.P., in a strong ipeeA, .said if thev rejected the policy of tta congress they would bring about, not only their osvn defeat, but a social disaster. In the late tramway strike the ■Union had been led away by "the danfnSbly pernicious doctrines' of tin "Industrial Workers of the World" (»n American organisation). That organist■Hon was the curie of the country. They ' were face to face with a gigantic struggle. They did not want a general fc strike, which would bring a'oou.t violence j and bloodshed. The arrest of the lead- M era was a hideous blunder, and the inOroduction of free labor would lead to rlota.

ACTION BY PROPRIETORS. ARRANGING FOR RESTARTING THE MINES. PROSPECTS OF HEX RESUMING SHADOWY. «■» *"V* Received 13. 1.5 a.m. Sydney, December 12. In accordance with their promise, -,hfl southern proprietors have prepared tlte'r pits for re-starting in the mornine. The possibility of the miners resigning work is very shadowy.