DISPUTE IN THE COAL TRADE

Auckland Star, Volume XLII, Issue 191, 12 August 1911, Page 9

DISPUTE IN THE COAL TRADE

TROUBLE,JK THE NOBTH. MEN MAY GO OUT ON MONDAY. (By Telegraph.r-Own Correspondent.) WHANGAREI, this day. For some time past there has been an uneasy- feeling in respect to the position of miners in the coal industry north of Auckland. Whether both companies are involved in the trouble, is not yet known, but I understand- that there is a very grave possibility the men in the Northern Coal Company's mine at Uikurangi are likely to go out on strike on Monday. The cause oi the trouble is ihat the miners want more wages than the company is prepared to grant. It is an open secret that the Union gave. fourteen days'' notice of intention to go out, and the date expired to-day, but I -understand that so tar they have not taken that step. It is thought up here there may be a conference before the men go out, or else that "they will not resume work on Monday morning. The position is considered serious, as i't is recognised that if the men engaged in the Northern Company's., mine ajs Hikurangi stop work, they may be fol lowed by those at Kiripaka, and also in the HikurangL Company's mine. It that does occur, then, of course, there Is a possibility that the coal strike may becume general in the North Island.