Page 2 Advertisements Column 6

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 140, 13 June 1919, Page 2

A suggestion, that the Government should work its new coal mines witn prison labour .was put forward by Mr. S E. Wright at the Arbitration Court this morning, apropos of the scarcity" and high cost of coal- "Would you have miners competing with gaol-birds?" asked Mr. Tom Bloodworth, who was in Court. "Tho miners are asking for such absurd conditions that something must be done to keep coal prices clown," replied Mr. Wright. "I don't think anyone would like to be put in charge of a gang of convicts competing with miners," remarked Mr. Justice Stringer. "He would have a lively time. It's your suggestion, Mr. Wright; don't you think you ought to be put in charge of the gang." "I would put miners in charge, and let them earn their pound a day that way," said Mr. Wright, "and the discussion lapsed. Tne Patriotic Association and tae Women's Patriotic League, which have had offices at the Town Hall during the war, have been notified by the City Council that the Council will require the rooms now used by them. This action is due to the Council finding that tho resumption of full activities after the war has caused a congestion of employees in its offices.