THE NEWCASTLE STRIKE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8983, 18 November 1907, Page 5

THE NEWCASTLE STRIKE.

DEMANDS OF SOUTHERN MINERS CONDITIONALLY CONCEDED. COAL FROM ABROAD. SYDNEY, November 16. After the conference, Mr Wade said he was unable to make a statement regarding the position, because it was necessary to re-open certain questions. The whole matter must remain in abeyance until Monday. The delay arose through the representatives on each side not having been authorised to bind their colleagues after Monday, when the proprietors will again confer, and probably a definte stage be reached. In a statement submitted to the Premier, the proprietors express willingness to allow the men to return to work under the conditions prevailing in the various pits before the strike, and submit the dispute to the Arbitration Court, each side giving a positive assurance that it would strictly adhere to the court's award. The Southern Coal-owners' Association has offered to concede the men's demand to amend the working agreement and advance the hewing rate to sixpence a ton conditionally upon a guarantee that the existing agreement will be respected until its expiry in 1909. The southern and western collieries are extremely busy, and there is no indication yet that they intend to join the strike. Coal in Sydney is .quoted at £2 15s to £3 for large, and 10s to 15s less for small, It is reported that arrangements have been completed for obtaining shipments from Japan, Manila, Colombo, and Durban, which are expected to be landed in three weeks' tim 3. Owing to shortness of coal the ferry services will be generally curtailed.

THE SITUATION IN MELBOURNE. COAL UP TO £3 PER TON. FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MAY INTERFERE. MELBOURNE, November 16. Coal has taken another big jump, and is quoted at from £2 17s fid to i' 3. Stocks in Melbourne are estimated at 10,000 tons.' Firms are commencing to shorten hands. The inter-State steamer services will be curtailed. Only one steamer will sail to Western Australia each week. Negotiations arc proceeding for the import of coal from the east and elsewhere. Mr Deakin, the Federal Premier, stated in the House that if the New South Wales Government failed to secure a settlement of the strike the Commonwealth Government would probably have to take action.

SPECIAL COURT OF ENQUIRY TO BE SET UP. REQUEST TO PROPRIETORS AND MEN. Received November 17, 10 p.m. SYDNEY/Novembcr 17. The Premier has sent a letter to the coal-mine proprietors and miners requesting them to resume working, pending the appointment by the Government of a special court consisting of a judge and two experts, one from either side, to enquire into the disputes. Received November 18, 1.2 a.m. SYDNEY, November 19. The Governor has offered his services as mediator in connection with the strike. Mr Wade' has expressed the hope that his services will not be required. Meetings of both parties will be held-to-morrow to discuss Mr Wade's letter, which suggests that all matters in dispute be submitted to a court whose decision shall be final; the settlement to be for twelve months or longer, as determined.