POSITION IN OTAGO

Evening Post, Volume XCIII, Issue 96, 23 April 1917, Page 8

POSITION IN OTAGO

The strike of the miners on the West Coast has had a reflex action in Dunedin, and during the last three.days merchants have been rushed with, orders for coal (says Friday's Otago Daily Times). However, there can be no real shortage in Otago so long as the miners here continue to work. The ballot to decide whether the West Coast miners will go back was to be taken yesterday, and the whole crux of the local situation practically rests on their verdict. If they decide to go back, the coal crisis will be ended for the time being; if, however, they decide to continue on strike, the danger of the Otago miners falling into line has to be considered. There are good supplies of State coal in Dunedin, but orders for this coal are now being refused, because it may be needed for the transports. The Westport Coal Company has very short stocks, and it decided yesterday to close down on orders, except "from the users who are engaged in essential industries. _ Only a small amount of Newcastle coal is available. It is satisfactory to know that stocks of coal in the, railway yards are sufficient to carry on the local train services for some four months, and tli'e gasworks have a sufficient supply for three or four months. There is enough coal' being mined in Otago to keep householders going right through, but the people must confine their orders to their usual . requirements and not attempt to lay in extra quantities. Local merchants, however, are exercising great care in accepting orders, and are endeavouring to sea thafc each agent will get a. fair share.