THE COAL STRIKE.

North Otago Times, Volume CV, Issue 13859, 20 April 1917, Page 3

THE COAL STRIKE.

liOYAL HOKITIKA. ' ENTHUSIASTIC reception. . OF CABINET MINISTERS. , . (Per Press Association.) ■• ■ y '■ \ HOKITIK A, April 19. | The Acting-Prime Minister. and, the Hon. W. D. S. MacDouald visited Hokitjka to-day. Although there was only a short notice,' the Town Hall was packed. The county chairman presided. arid short addresses were given by the-Ministers. : Sir James Allen, referring to the cause of the Ministers' visit to the Coast, said ho and his colleague had addressed the miners in many parts of the district. The miners were taking a secret ballot ou the question of -rerunning work, and the Government \Vould be delighted if the men went back, but if there was an adverse vote, llic Government would-do its duty. : The speakers both referred to the part New Zealand is playing in the war, and aflirmed that the Government is de-. termined to sec .the"Military Service Act carried out.

v The following resolution was carried unanimously,' the audience cheering and singing the National Anthem: "That this meeting pledges itself to support the National Government, in giving ell'ect. to any measures that may be 'deemed necessary to deal with the present national crisis." POSITION IN AUCKLAND. : CUTTING DOWN SUPPLIES. (Per Press Association,) AUCKLAND, April 19. There are no developments regarding ■the strikc'at- lluiitlv. The miners are still working, They are expected' to take a secret ballot ou Saturday. The city council to-night decided to cut off the supply of current for the electrical sign and verandah lights, also for the Tramway Company which obtains a portion of its supply from the municipality. The Mayor and engineer were author-, iseil to take action in regard to lifts and picture shows if necessary, THE POSITION IN OAMARU.

NO CAUSE FOR ANXIETf AT PRESENT.

So far as the position of the coal

stocks in Oamsiru.is concerned; several •local coal merchants stated to a "North Otago! TimeS J '• representative ■ yesterday that ample sujiplics were in hand for normal consumption for some considerable time. All the merchants, 'however, counselled economy by consumers, as it ivas uncertain what the outcome of the present Situation might be. Although there was no indication of the' likelihood of the southern miners striking in sympathy with the West Coast and North Island miners, there wore sinister rumours' in circulation which caused somo misgivings, and no amount of economy that could be exercised would be more than was in the best interests for the common good. The manager of- the municipal gas works stated that at the present time lie had sufficient stocks of coal in hand to maintain an average output of gas for a period of from three to. four months. With a reduced demand on the works bv a general and all-round economy those stocks would be sufficient for a much longer period. It was stated that His "Worship the Mayor had suggested a sharp reduction in the number of street lamps that, should be lighted, cutting out all lights excepting those at most necessary points, including perhaps onci at the intersection of Thames and Kibble streets, one near the post office, one at the Thames street railway crossing, and one at the Severn street bridge, It is likely that such a course as that indicated will be adopted by the borough, and it is incumbent also on private consumers of gas to exercise every economy possible. The local manager of the New Zealand Refrigerating Company stated that for the use of the Pukeuri -freezing

vorks the company' was well siifcriianled as far as its coal supply was 'oncerned for some time to come. The ■o'mpany had expected part of a ship-

nicnt -which was due to arrive in Oaniai'u shortly after Easter, but the boat had only just' commenced loading

vliiiii the striltc occurred, ami conscjuently tlmt supply had not yet come o hand. There was, however, so far as

hi' local works were concerned, 110 imliediatc i'ause for anxiety. The local woollen mills arc also in vliat must lie regarded as a safe posi.ion Supplies on liaml at present are •onsidered sufficient for normal require-

nents, ami the manager stated to the 'Times" representative that the strike ivould have to lie somewhat protracted jefore the mijls would lie seriously ifWtcd.

There is a contingency, however,

Hint may affect the whole question of private supplies aiid'the supplies of public bodies. There are a number of' industries in : the "country engaged on work of an essential character in con-

nection with the prosecution of the, war, These industries must' be maintained at all costs, and if 'supplies coal for power purposes for suclrindustries become: depleted the Government njay be-compelled to commandeer private supplies, in which case it is impossible to say how 'long present sup-' piies would maintain an average consumption.

"In view of''these considerations, without raising any alarm, the heed for economy cannot be too strongly urged. The drastic cut in railway services, for tiic purpose of building up the depal't'nlijiit's reserves of coal, is_ a sufficient indication to the public that severe

measures are necessary, Should the

miners still persist in their relusal -to work, or oven to .relinquish the "go-

inoie: ! sweepmg reiluctions in piihlir Sei-: 'vices mav become essential, and in-such % ,.;pri,viite ;• donVanils-.'.ivoiil'l' ha\e to be letluced to the absolute minimum. " r c </