THE MINERS' STRIKE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2518, 30 August 1888, Page 2

THE MINERS' STRIKE.

[By Fii.KCTiuc TKLKaßAPH.—Copyi«ght| Newcastle, August 28. The proprietors of the West Wallsend Coal Mine have engaged a number of navvies to open up the mine. They argue that work of this nature is not actual mining, and contend that should any opposition be shown by those on strike, it is the duty of the Government to afford protection to the men working. Melbourne, August 29. The building trade is seriously affected by the miners' strike, as bricks have advanced six shillings per 1000. Every clay vessels are being laid up, and crews paid oft'. The strike is also affecting foundries, which are discharging many hands. Queensland coal is selling at an advance of 29s (?) per ton. A carpenters' strike is pending here for shorter hours. With a view to the development of the Victorian coal mines tho Government have ofl'ered to give twenty-five shillings per ton during the year for coal required by the Government Departments, and twenty-two and sixpence during the next year. Adelaibe, August 2S. The majority of the Trades Unions are against the action taken by the Newcastle miners. (by tklegraph—own corrkspondent.) Auckland, Wednesday. Mr Hudson. Manager of Railways, declares in connection with the coal famine that the railway already carries 70,000 tons of coal yearly and a great deal more could be carried with the present plant if the coal were handed over regularly. The Age, in a report upon the coalminers' dispute says :—" When the last strike took place in the Southern mines the miners were easily defeated by the coal proprietors for the simple reason that the former did not belong to the Union, and therefore received no pecuniary support. Now, however, they are members of the Union, having been induced to join by representatives sent down from Newcastle for that purpose. By this move, which was no doubt deliberately planned with a view to meet the present contingency, the Newcastle miners not only strengthened their position, but closed one of the principal avenues by which Victoria might hope to escape out of the difficulty. The coal contracts entered into by the Melbourne coal importing firms contain a clause under the provisions of which the person contracting to supply coal has the power, when a strike occurs, to terminate his engagement upon giving five days' notice. The consumption of coal in Melbourne every 24 hour* is estimated at 3000 tons, and a careful calculation shows the present stock in hand to be about 20.000 tons, or less than a week's supply. The gas company has no stock of coal. The question of stimulating supplies of coal from other sources than that of Newcastle has bsen seriously considered by the directors, but thoy are faced with the difficulty that the Tasmanian coal is unsuited for the purpose of making , gas, whilst the demands of New Zealand for coal hewn at its own collieries (Westport and Greymouth) are s;i far in excess of the output that there is small hope of the company being ablo to command a supply. The railway department use 3000 tons per week, and there is not more than a fortnight's supply on hand.