THE MINERS' STRIKE

Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2522, 8 September 1888, Page 2

THE MINERS' STRIKE

(by TELEGRAPH.— I'IIKSS ASSOCIATION.) WBSTi'OKT, Friday. Thk Demiiston miners have vutod £o0 towards the support of the Newcastle strikers, and will make further grants, if required. Wellington, Friday. The Union S.S. Company have issued a circular to the Wellington importers and exporters, announcing that in consequence of the miners' strike at Newcastle the steamers returning from Sydney are not now able to secure their usual back loading of coal. Therefore the company has beon forced to increase, the freight rates. The company also state that while tho present trouble exists it h probable that difficulties and detentions will arise in the matter of forwarding cargo from Sydney to outports such as Brisbane, Rockhampton, Maryborough, etc. Therefore it would be impracticable to accept cargo for any port beyond Sydney at present.

[KKOM OCII OWN COHHKHI'ONDKNTI. Sydney, September 5. The position nt Newcastle i 8 no longer, so threatening. The chairman of the Miner's Association, Mr Gonndry, who has all along displayed a very reasonable and conciliatory spirit, has expressed himself unequivocally in favour of withdrawing the threat of a general strike, and of accepting a proposition for arbitration. Practically, this ought to settle the question. Tho stupid attempt at intimidation into which the miners allowed themselves to bo betrayed has been condemned from one end of Australia to the other, and has helped more than anything else to deprive them of the moral support of the public. Now that its foolishness is admitted by representative men of the party who were guilty of it, it should be withdrawn as soon as possible. On the other side, it must be remembered that when a blunder has once been made, tho majority of blunderers find it easier to stand to it than to withdraw from it. Amour propre, as the French have it, " cussednes-;," as the more matter-of-fact Yankee calls it, is still a very powerful force, often toswamp all other considerations, however weighty. And in this instance it is reinforced by tho inertia of form and ceremony. The withdrawal, if made at all, must be made as formally as the throat. It must be proposed and passed in tho lodges in tho same manner as the notice for the strikes ; and this will be a very bitter pill to swallow. Still, I think the pressure of public opinion is potent enough to accomplish even this. Nut all at once, perhaps. At present the men are pledged to go out nil strike on the 27th. It may ha too much Co expect a formal and unconditional surrender " ill one act," but it is very, probable the terms will be extended to allow of further consideration ; and further consideration is almost certain to lead to final withdrawal.

Efforts at mediation have been numerous. Some, like that of the Newcastle Chamber of Commerce (a body consisting principally of coalownciv), have bet'ii unceremoniously declined. Others have missed (ire—notably one by which Mr Melville attempted t® achieve distinction. He went " one better " than any»ne else, by requesting Lord Oarrington to undertake tlie _ role of arbitrator. Many worse idons might have been hit upon, lint why, oh ! why did the member for Northumberland put himself out of court by going behind the backs of his Excellency's responsible advisers, constituting himself for the nonce brevet Home Secretary, or its colonial equivalent'; Practically the leading part has been taken by a very worthy citizens' committee, and their efforts to bring about a reconciliation have mot with :in encouraging reception. The general feeling in the metropolis is that the strike will be averted. The price of coal shares has dropped very little, and it is regarded as certain that any mediation which commands the confidence of both parties will be successful.

The strike of the Northern miners is now an accomplished fact. The points in dispute were so obscure and so wrapped up in matters of petty dignity and punctilios that outsiders cannot even now see what there is to justify the chief actors. Up to the last moment, it seemed so incredible that ii.en claiming to be sane could act in so wanton and reckless a m.niner, that it was hoped that t he trouble would beaverted, or at least, postponed. But nil these hopes have proved futile. The existing depression is boing intensified in all directions by the discharge of hands, and the curtailment of industrial activities. If the stubborn wrong* headedness of the contending parties affected only themselves it would be bad enough. But there is not a capital in all Australasia, which will not be injured by it. Coal lumpers, wharf labourers, seamen, are being dismissed. Ships are being laid up, factories are closing their doors or working short time, and it seems very doubtful wherever the primary requirements of civilised life—lighting and motive powerwill continue to be met. Poverty is becoming an unwelconio guest in many homes where nothing has been done to invite it, in homes too, whose owners have no strike pay to fall back upon. Viewed from the standpoint of the public good, weare beginning to see that the strike is a crime, all the more heinous because the law can take no cognisance of it. The fact that the contending parties stubbornly refuse to regard it in this light dftes not at all alleviate the disastrous consequences of their suicidal action. We implore Parliament to assist us against diseases, and to protect us from animal and vegetable pests, which are beyond the reach of legislation ; but_ it seems certain that before long its aid will be invoked in matters which really coine within its province. The coal supply of Australasia is too important a factor of prosperity to be left to the mercy of a few wrongheaded individuals, who are liable at any moment to have their vision obscured by avarice, by petty pique, or personal ambition. The only bright side to the picture is the increased impetus that is being everywhere given to the production of coal, and the removal of groundless prejudices. Many a user who has lived all his life under the impression that only Newcastle coal would serve his purpose, finds that he can get on almost as well with the Illawarra, Queensland, or Lithlow article. The strikers are certainly taking the most effective »'.eps to break down the monopoly, which rendered a strike formidable. Meanwhile mediators are still busy, and hopeful. 1 fancy the chief obstacle to the success of their benevolent labours is the desire to enjoy a holiday at the expense of the Union.