NEWCASTLE STRIKE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9664, 1 December 1909, Page 5

NEWCASTLE STRIKE.

GOVERNMENT'S INTENTION, DETERMINED TO TAKE FIRM ACTION. United Press Associa'.ion—c.y ateCtrtc Telegrep Copyright. Received November 30, 9 p.m. SYDNEY, November 30. When the Assembly met the Hon. C. A. Sec, Acting-Premier, made a statement with regard to the Government's intentions in connection with the strike, in view of the pos ■ sibla general paralysis of business. There was a serious possibility of large interests in the Stat? being so crippk'd that it would talce many years to restore them to their normal condition. All the Government's efforts to bring the parties together having failed and realising that the patience of the community had been tried to the point of exhaustion the Government were determined to intervene directly. Action would he taken to command the whole output of the mines now at work with which to supply the community. The Govern* ment would assert its right to take as much coal as it wanted and care would be taken to protect the public in the matter cf values. While the Government were loth to interfere unless those acting for the miners did not in the immediate future meet and offer a solution of the trouble, the Industrial Disputes Act would be enforced, involving the penal clauses and the appointment of a Conciliation Board. While relying on the good sense of the miners and owners, it must be clearly understood that if efforts were made to protract the situation ; the Government were determined to I expend every means allowed to bring about a settlement,

The statement had the concurrence of Mr Wade (Premier), and the whole Cabinet,

After some desultory debate Mr McGowen moved that the mathods proposed by the Government to deal with industrial troublis are absolutely insufficient to meet' the public requirements.

At Mr Lee's request, owing to the acuteness of the situation, Mr McGowen agreed to proceed with the motion without any adjournment.

QUESTION OF HAULAGE. DEMANDS OF THE RAILWAYJ COMMISSIONERS. Received November 30, 10.35 a.m. SYDNEY, November 30. It is understood that the Railway Commissioners demand half the output of each colliery working before they will undertake the haulage of coal.