THE COAL TRADE.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXI, Issue 22, 27 January 1911, Page 3

THE COAL TRADE.

OWNERS "BREATHING EASILY." [BI TELBGBAPH — SPECIAL TO THB POST.} ACJCKLAND, This Day. For some months past there have been rumours of trouble pending in regard to the coal trade, and it was stated to be a significant fact that those most concerned were laying 'in huge supplies. A gentleman closely identified with the Northern coal trade, speaking to a reporter yesterday, said that- the owners were once again "breathing easily." "The New Year, when it opened, was pregn&nt with possibilities of an unsatisfactory nature," 119 remarked, "but, fortunately, all difficulties have • Deen surmounted, and we are safe for a year at least." Asked what the difficulties in question were, the business man replied that the_ points at issue had been satisfactorily settled at the conference recently held between the mine-owners and the miners on the West Coast. There had been ao cause for contention as far as the Northern mines were concerned, but the position was such that had the trouble on the West Coast not been settled to the satisfaction of all parties a strike might have ensued, and would have been general all over New Zealand. "Now that the period of unrest is over," he added, "we are looking forward to one of the most prosperous years oa xecord."