MINERS' TYRANNY.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 November 1916, Page 4

MINERS' TYRANNY.

TRANSIT DIFFICULTIES. FEDERAL POLICY TO BE SETTLED. Außtralian-N.Z. Cable Association, Sydney, Nov. 28. All transit services have been reduced to a minimum. There were no tram* running to-day. Horse 'buses have beesi revived. Trains and ferry services hav« also been limited.

Melbourne, Nov. 26. The Federal Cabinet meets, prior id the Coal Conference to-morrow, to do-! termine its policy. The miners have been fre-ely criticise;} for refusing to accept arbitration. It is opined in political and industrial circles that the Government &ill make no concessions, unless the miners give binding assurances that there will b« no further dislocation during the war.

Sydney, Nov. 25. At the coal conference the men's re« presentatives urged Mr. Hughes to legist late for granting the inep's demands or to nationalise the mines.

After an adjournment to allow the representatives to submit new the proprietors refused to submit further terms. Sydney, Xov. 27. 'At meetings of the miners in tl># Domain, the delegates stated that the time had come to abolish the arbitration law; the men would decide their own business. The meeting reaffirmed the determination not to return to work until the men's demands were granted.

Melbourne, Nov. 27. Seven thousand factories are closed, rendering idle 80,000.

A PECULIAR COINCIDENCE. . mime minister hits out. Received Nov. -27, 8 p.m. Melbourne Nov. 27. N During Friday's Coal Conference Mr. Hughes induced the miners' .representatives to despatch telegrams, authorising the handling of coal for the trans* ports and Small Arms Factory. When the conference opened to-day, Mr. lhighes stated that he had received advices that the men at Lithgow still refused to handle the coal, and declared it "black," while certain men in the southern collieries were forced to cease work. Such intimidation would delay & settlement for some weeks. A mining representative characterised the telegram as a "put-up job!" Mr. Hughea replied: There are many "put-up jobs." Six weeks before tho •trike you told me if the '■' Yes" vote was carried at the Referendum, the miners would not work. It is obvious there is more in this business than meets the eye. The delegate "denied the statement. Mr. Hughe?: It is iv curious coincidence that at the meeting called to dismiss conicription «, coal strike was hinted at. The strike occurred on the eery day it was forecasted. The president of the Miners' Federation practically confirms the proprietors' fears that tho men's full demands have not been disclosed. The president '.aid men could not continue upon the present wages, and were prepared to meet the proprietors and discuss the question after the hours' dispute had been settled and work resumed. Mr. Hughes adjourned the conference until late in the afternoon, to enable both sides to put all their cards upon the table, and prepare a :et of working I'onditions to hold good until aftei tho war.

FURTHER DEMANDS. 50 PER CENT. INCREASE IK WAGES. Beeeived Nov. 27, p.m. Svdnej 1 , Nov. 27. The statement is freely made that thd miners are determined to demand a (50 per cent, increase in wages as soon as the present matters in dispute are digposed of. This is understood to be proving one of the stumbling-blocks in the way of a settlement. CONFERENCE UNABLE TO AGREfc. A SPECIAL TRIBUNAL APPOINTED. Received Nov. 28, 12,10 a.m. Melbourne, Nov. 2".

The conference was unable to agree. Mr. Hughes lias announced the determination of the Government to appoint a tribunal consisting of representatives of miners, owners, and the public, to consider firstly the bank-to-bank question and afterwards other matters. It will sit at Sydney as soon as possible, presumably on Wednesday.