LABOUR TROUBLES.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9672, 10 December 1909, Page 5

LABOUR TROUBLES.

STRIKES IN AUSTRALIA'

UNREST AMONG WHARF LABOURERS.

United Press Association—oy aleCtrlc Telegraph Copyright. Received December 9, 9.35 a.m. SYDNEY, December 9. There is much unrest among the wharf labourers. At a meeting last night, it was decided to ask all the wharf iabourers who are members of the naval and military forces to- resign therefrom. A mass meeting of the Wharf Labourers' Union is called for Saturday, to consider the members' attitude towards* the strike. The Government's invitation to owners aid men to work the mines has been published. The acting-Premier expressed a nope that the parties are still coming together, ana added that, failing this, it would be easy to supply the public with coal to-morrow. I He understood the Southern and Western miners were willing, and waiting, to go to work, xney only wanted the consent of the stxike Congress to return. They have no'grievances. He hoped wise counaelb would prevail in these districts. The Lord Mayor has submitted to ttie Premier (Mr Wadena scheme of mediation by compulsion. 'Mr Wade could not see his way to act upon it, as he considered u amounted to nadeclared the Government coulflngjt work the mines on trust, but would protect life and property jf* they were worked by the owner&j 1 ' FRESH DEVELOPMENTS. Received December 10, 12.25 a.m. SYDNEY, December 9. Ths situation in regard to theSydney gas supply nas undergone a change owing to tht coal fumpers *stfike. The Company had secured 3,800 tons of coal, which fa lying alongside their jetties awaiting discharge. If an attempt is made to employ non-union labour the Gasworkers' Unio.i has notified the Company that they will go on strike. The Company has only'ten days supply of gas on hand. The Acting-Premier has announcsd in the Assembly that the Government had cabled for a supply of 5,000 tons of coal from abroad. He did not state where it was to be obtained, but itjs supposed that it has been securedjin Japan. The southern mine owners response to the Government's invitation,stated that they will have their mines ready to work on Monday neorning, if the men care to return.