COAL SUPPLIES.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 14105, 3 May 1919, Page 5

COAL SUPPLIES.

STATEMENT BY MINISTER. (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Last night. Referring to the announcement that the Federal Government had decided to commandeer all coal in the Commonwealth, the Hon. A. M. Myers stated to-day that so far as he could judge at the moment, the Dominion’s supply from Newcastle w r ould not be detrementally affected, as it was not anticipated the output from the mines would be reduced. Recent strikes in Newcastle had given considerable cause for anxiety, but from information received he understood that the bulk of the mines had resumed work, and he hoped that a regular supply would soon be again coming to hand from that source. Further, every endeavour was being made to arrange for oversea ships en route to the Dominion, both via America and Australia, to pick up cargoes of coal. The recent epidemic and the strike at Millerton, together with the continued stoppage of work at Green Island mines, Otago, had accentuated the acute shortage of coal which existed during the past two years in practically every part of the Dominion. “ Every possible effort is being made, however,” concluded Air Myers, “to do the best possible in the national Interests with the supplies that are coming to hand.”

[Amrf. and N.Z. Cable Association.] (Received Friday, 10.5 p.m.) SYDNEY, Last night. The miners’ increased wages under the new Federal agreement, comes into operation on Monday. The Federation has adopted a new agreement to prevent further stoppages, under which all disputes will be referred to special committees.