“UNHOLY ALLIANCE"

Evening Star, Issue 18809, 6 December 1924, Page 10

“UNHOLY ALLIANCE"

MINERS AND MINE OWNERS. DOMINION COAL ON RAILWAYS. Commenting upon the effort which is being made to induce the Government In burn Nhw Zealand coal on the railways the ‘ N.Z. Locomotive Engineers’ .Journal ’ says: “ Tho pressure that is being brought to bear upon tho Railway Department by the mine owners and tho coal miners of New Zealand should bo resented by every locomotive man. Tho concerted action of these parties constitutes one of the most unholy alliances wo have so far soon in tin's country, and shows to what length interested parties will go to meet their own ends. As far as tho miners are concerned, unless some ulterior motive is behind their action, it matters little to them whether they work in Australia or Now Zealand, and as tho most of them have come from outside of New Zealand it will readily bo seen that our statement is made in good faith. “ The mine owners profess to have the good of Now Zealand at heart, and bewail the fact that so much money is being sent to Australia cadi year for coal. They prefer, of course, to have tho money circulated in New Zealand, and the profits sent back to Australia by themselves for investment at, a higher raw than they can obtain in New' Zealand. " Wo as an association, have protested vigorously against the use of lignite and brown coals, ami also against the use of other New Zealand coals in the tunnels, and have been fairly successful in inducing (ho manager to see the hardship caused to the locomotive men by continuing their use. “ Now pressure is being brought to hear by the unholy alliance to force tho coal on to the Railway Department irrespective of the fact that 61.41 per cenl, of the imported coal is imported try private dealers. “Apart from the stand taken by (he men who use the coal, the department considers (hat Australian coal is much better for tho tubes, fireboxes, etc., of engines and reduces the train delays so much complained of by tho travelling public. Since (he department has imported the most of its coal for use on locomotives, leaky tubes and train delays are minimised, consequently, apart from (lie cost of the, coals, this is a largo saving in labor and wear and tear of material. Locomotive men have also been saved considerable worry and report-writing by the use of Australian coal as well as lightening tho work of tho firemen on modern engines. “ If tho parties interested are successful in forcing tho railways to use the New Zealand coal exclusively, theig the locomotive men will have to consider their position, and perhaps a peculiar situation may result.”