THE COAL STRIKE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3057, 19 April 1917, Page 6

THE COAL STRIKE

PUKEMIRO MEN OUT EFFECT ON STEAM AND GENERAL SERVICES f ■ MINISTER'S REPLY TO FEDERATION OF LABOUR By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, April 18. The miners have struck work at the Piikemiro colliery, eight miles l'rom Huntly. There are one hundred and fifty inen out. STEAMER SERVICES S.S. MONOWAI WITHDRAWN. By Telegraph.—Press Association. □unedin, April IS. On account of the coal crisis, the Union Steam Ship Company has decided to withdraw the Monowai from the Dunedin-East Coast-Auckland service. On her arrival at Dunedin next Tuesday, the vessel will lay up at Port Chalmers indefinitely. There will probably be no passenger steamer between North Island ports next week. Tile Union Company advise that tho Monowai, which is due here on Saturday from Auckland, via Gisborne and Napier, will now. go to Lyttelton and Dunedin, not missing the call at the former'port, as was originally intended. On arrival at Dunedin, and in consequence of the coal situation, the Monowai will withdraw from the coastal service. The Komata, which has been delayed in port for some time now, is to pay off her crew until the situation warrants her commencing running ( again. COAL CARGO HELD UP WATERSIDERS REFUSE TO WORK IT. An effort was made yesterday to discharge a cargo of Newcastle coal, but the waterside workers refused to 1 acoept engagement for this work, and no tfork could be done. Other work on the wharves proceeded as usual. CHRISTCHURCH COAL MERCHANTS POSSIBILITY OF CLOSING DOWN. 'By Telegraph—Press Association. Christchurch, April 18. Mr. Cleary, secretary of the Christoliurch Coal Merchants' Association, gave it as' his opinion to-day that unless tho position with regard to the coal supplies shows some improvement within the month overy coal merchant in Christchurch will have to close his yard. POSITION IN AUCKLAND .■ * • CURTAILING SUPPLIES OF ELECTRICITY. By Telegraph.—Press Association. ' Auokland, April 18.. Tho Mayor (Mr. Gunson) stated today that owing-to the shortage of coal It was -necessary to curtail tno supply of electricity to certain Large users.' Unless coal, was available in the next few days it would be necessary to make a drastic curtailment, in order to keep only absolutely essential services running.

REPLY TO LABOUR FEDERATION MILITARY SERVICE ACT MUST STAND. By Telegraph—Press Association. Creymouth, April 18. Sir Jas. Allen and tho Hon. W. D. S. Mac Donald arrived back late to-night after meeting tho miners at Runanga and Rewanui. Sir James Allen, ill reply to Mr. Hiram Hunter's statement, the following telegram:—"Hfram Hunter national • secretary, Federation of Labour, Christ church, —Your telegram Teceived. 1 can scarcely believe that the Federation of Labour is opposed to so fair and democratic a measure as the Military Service Act, which places every, man, as far as service with the Expeditionary Forces is concerned, oil exactly the same footing. The Government cannot suspend the operation of the Act. Parliament alone can do that. The Act was passed with only seven dissentients, and I have every reason to believe that the general opinion of tho country is accurately -represented ill Parliament.—(Sgd.) J. Allen." The Ministers leave Grey mouth on their rettirn on Saturday 'morning.

.. "BLACK" COAL ~ HARBOUR BOARD'S POSITION. When the. matter of tenders for the supply of coal to the Harbour Board for the coming year camo before last evening's meeting, Mr. R. A. Wright asked where the firms concerned were going to-get the coal. I/t was explained that tl(e tenders were subject to certain conditions that safeguarded them in the ease of a strike. Mr. Wright wished to know how the Harbour Board was affected by the strike. - The chairman stated that they had enough coal to keep the pumping station going for about six weeks. That was about all they -used coal for. Mr. AY. Gable: "You can use firewood, can't you?" The chairman: "No—where are we lo getrit?" Referring to the refusal of local coal workers to touch a cargo of coal that recently arrived here from Newcastle, Mr. Daniell said he was disappointed at the turn tilings had taken within, the last day or two.. He had como away from the recent conference with great- hopes, but now this coal strike was on; and the ,-ne.n declined to unload Newcastle coal. It was very disappointing to him, as it. must be to every member of the board.

Mr. Wright: "Do the mon give any reason for not working the coal?" The chairman: "No. They simply walk away without giving any reason. They are isimply not there when they're wanted." Mr. Wright: "What are we going to <Io about it?" The chairman: "Well, the ActingPrime Minister is down on the West Coast, and I understand is taking certain means to bring about a settlement. As one individual citizen, I hopo lie'll take a firm stand. I don't- know what we can do. 1 thought we' all bad enough pride in us at such a time to do something for tho country." Mr. Fletcher: "The State to. take over all the mines in tile country is the only solution of the trouble." Mr. j. G. Harkness: "Why don't, tho State mines go on?" Mr. H. Nathan: "The State mines— why, that's''tho. seat of the trouble!" I.W.W. AT WORK IN NEW SOUTH WALES "KILT, TWO BIRDS WITH ONE STONE." ■ Sydney, April is. fcV circular lias been issued by the 1.W.W., stating that n conference of nineteen unions has passed a motion demanding the release' of the imprisoned members of the 1.W.W., failing which a general strike will be advocated'. '{lie circular stated that now was the time, as there was trouble in New Zealand, and they might kill two birds with one stone.—Press Assn.