THE COAL STRIKE.

North Otago Times, Volume CV, Issue 13860, 21 April 1917, Page 2

THE COAL STRIKE.

AUSTRALIAN 'ASSISTANCE FOR. 1 STRIKERS,. (Cable—Press Association—Copyright.) ' SYDNEY, April ,20. ■ The- Federal Council of the Australasian Coal Employees 1, Federation has decided to take any steps deemed necessary to assist' the New Zealand miners. •■) —-■ LABOUR PARTY MEETING AT GREYMOUTH. / (Per Press Anaueiaiiijii.) GREYMOUTH, April 20. At a meoting of the GroymouthLabour Party branch in connection With tlie municipal' elections Mr O'Brien O'Rorke, speaking on behalf of the coal miners, stated that the strike was.against tlte Compulsory Ser-. vice Act. So far as the miners were concerned'there would be no eompro-/ mise whatever. They asked support ami co-operation in a practical way, He indicated Hint the minor's themselves could only hold out for rive months without otuside assistance, but if the people wanted the Act repealed it was up to them to back up the miners, who' were called upon to do the work of the

people. Mr P. C. Webb, M.P., at the same meeting, stated that although the miners of New.Zealand were seventeen per cent less in members than prior to the war, the output was twenty-five per cent' more, and the output per mirier was a world's record, • The meeting passed a resolution of sympathy with the miners, and calling on the Government to repeal the Act. Sir James Allen says he was courteously received in addressing a meeting of miners, and believed his visit would have good results,

EARLY CLOSING OF BUSINESS SUGGESTED. (P«r Pr«M Amnntrttliin ) WELLINGTON, April'2o, The City Counciljdast night adopted the following suggestions by the City Engineer: "With p, view to economising coal during tlfe present crisis the hours for the cessation of work in business premises be as follows: Offices and warehouses 4,30, shops 5,30; that street lighting be cut off at midnight; that all external illumination such as advertising signs be cut out till 7,30; that picture, theatres be not supplied with lighting between 4.30 and 7 p.m.; that Sunday traffic on tramways be curtailed as far as possible by charging a universal sixpenny fare,"

IN THE BULLER DISTRICT; COMPULSORY MILITARY SERVICE. Sir James, Allen (Acting-Prime Minister and Minister of Defence) and the Hon. W. D S. Mac Donald (Minister of Mines) made a tour of the Buller coal mining townships on Monday, ■and delivered address in the three centres— Millerton, and Denniston, The in the course oHheir remarks, emphasised the need for the best services from the men in orjfer that the war might be speedily brought to an end. An effort was being made to close the diro chapter in the world's history in three months, If the miners continued on strike, they would make the task more difficult, as coal was essential for the industries of the country, for the local and overseas transport services, and the Navy. Both speakers made it clear that the Military Service Act was essential to raise the troops required to keep up New Zealand's promised quota. Compulsory military service would, however, end within six months of the close of the war. There was no intention to continue it thereafter.

At Millerton and Ngakawau, the Ministers were given a particularly good and patient hearing (says the Westport News), At- Deuniston there were some interruptions, but nothing of a seriously disturbing character.

j\\ the conclusion of the addresses, tlie/ Ministers were accorded a hearty vote of thaiins for the visit and the

addresses,

WESTLAND AND THE MILITARY SERVICE ACT, , ■ THE PUBLIC BEHIND'" THE GOVERNMENT. (Per Press Association. - ) HOKITIKA. April II), A representative meeting of farmers and'others yesterday adopted the Geraldine scheme for the control of soldiers' farms under the National Efficiency Beard, raid appointed an advisory committee lo control district affairs. At the end of the meeting a telecram was sent to the Acting-Prime Minister, in which the United Federation of Labour was referred to, and a motion was carried unanimously, and with prolonged applause, that the Act-ing-Prime Minister be notified that the Westland district was behind'the Government in its, desire to see the 'National Service Act'fully carried out. The wisdom of tiie country was expressed through Parliament, which passed the Act, and, the desire of the district was to have the Act fully enforced, On carrying tie motion, the large audience rose and sang tlu National Anthem. THE WORKERS AND ' CONSCRIPTION. PROTEST AGAINST FEDERATION OF LABOUR'S ATTITUDE. Wellington; April 19. So far as is known the efforts of Sir James Allen and the Hon. W. D. S. MacDonald 1 have not yet effected .an improvement in the position on the West Coast, and the delay in reaching a settlement of the trouble is causing a good deal of uneasiness throughout the community, The telegram -which the secretary of the United Federation of Laboni has addiessed to the Acting Pnme Mnus'tir ceitainly doe 3 not re - naeif tlin a lews of flie gient mass of in l A,oikeis heie, who,.houevei, much they mav disappiove of the principle of coiiTiiphon in the abstract, leahse the impouame of tho Dominion dischniging its obligations to tho Empire fully and piomptly at the present stage in the gieat national crisis. They deny the right of the .Federation to speak on their behalf-in this respect, and proJ J.M.. %.fU \ y» V, &**' „

'test "that the organisation is doing Labour an incalculable injury by prejudicing it in the eyes of electors whose political co-operation-it will need after the war. •'' It may be as well to state, what is now an open secret, that the heroic measures now determined upon it re- ' gard to the. railway service, were (liscuaseil by the Cabinet' a week ago, 'After careful consideration it was decided to put.the case frankly to the miners before going to extremes. The visit of Sir' James Allen and Mr MacDonald to the Coast was the result of this determination, anil it now rests with the men on strike to say whether or not the public shall be put to the and, grave loss in which the restricted railway services will involve every section of the community. Mr Hemes has made this point'quite clear in his announcement, and the miners will have only themselves to blame if they have to bear the onus of dislocating the whole transport system of the Dominion. I. —— ./ POSITION IN WANQANUI. DISLOCATION OF INDUSTRY FORECASTED.' Mcf Press Association.) WANGANUI, April 19. The coal strike is the absorbing topic of conversation, and there is no doubt that a serious dislocation of industry will occur in the Wanganui and Main Trunk districts. A tremendous demand for coal has kt in, and dealers are i allpwing ouj/to applicants only one sack at a Time, the price for which has risen to 6s a sack.

ME VEITCH INTERVIEWED. LOYALTY OF LABOUR. WANGANUI, April 19. Mr Veiteh, M.P., one of the dominion Labour leaders is being besiged with inquires from all parts, and to-day he expressed his views to. a Wanganui Chronicle representative on the situation. Mr Veiteh supports the proposition that wealth should be directly taxed in order to better the pay and pensions for soldiers and their dependants, and he considers that every effort should be made to secure that reform. At the same time he appeals to' Labour throughout the dominion to make loyalty to King and Empire the first consideration. Personal advantages should not be said, he advanced before the needs of those who are doing the fighting and enduring privation for the benefit of those living and working home in safety, Mr Veiteh points out that a strike at this time would be disastrous, and must alienate sympathy with Labour, and hamper.any efforts that may be made to secure muchneeded reforms in Parliament. He urges workers to remember Anzac Day, and to mark their appreciation of the sacred devotion of our troops so nobly displayed at Gollipoli by making that the day for giving! an assurance to their fellow citizens in New Zealand and the troops at the front that they will work to gcther and afford every support and encouragement to the efforts being made to subdue the enemies of liberty.

AUCKLAND SERIOUSLY AFFECTED

CESSATION OF GAS SUPPLY CONTEMPLATED.

COAL MARKET PRACTICALLY

BARE,

(Per Press Association) AUCKLAND, April 10.

The Auckland Gas Company, which supplies lighting to practically the whole of the residential portion of the city and suburbs, notifies by an advertisement in the local papers that it has irf stock only enough eoal to keep up the supply of gas for three weeks at the present rate of consumption. Consequently the company appeals to consumers to exercise the most rigid economy in the use of gas It is pointed out that a cessation of the supply of gas would mean that in Auckland alone 13,000 people- would be unable to cook their food, and 29,000 houses would be left in. darkness, while the many industries dependent upon gas power would have to close down.

The. coal market is practically bai" and only small doles from yards \ customers are now possible, The Electric Tramways Gompany has sufficient stock of coal on hand to last until the end of next week when unless a further' supply becomes available, the tramway will be compelled to cease working entirely. A slight restriction in the service has already been introduced-. ! \ TRAMWAYS SUPPLY RUNNING OUT. (rer Press Association,) ' AUCKLAND, April 20. The Tramway Company'? supply of coal will be exhausted by next Saturday, and unless delivery is made b* then, the service will cease.

ABORTIVE CONFERENCE AT REEFTON.

ANOTHER INTERVIEW WITH

MINISTERS,

(Per Press Association.) REEFTON, April 20,

A meeting of coal mine delegates was held here to-day, but no finality was reached. The delegates went to Greymouth to further discuss. the maltfh' with the- Acting-Prime Minister and Mr Mac Donald. ■"...■ ,

SI&RTAGES IN WELLINGTON,

INTERRUPTION OF BUSINESS AND

PUBLIC UTILITIES/.

\ (Per, Press. Association',)

\ WELLINGTON, April 20, The cbnl stacks me leported to be light lieie, A'leading meichant says that the etock for householders and small manufacturers aro practically exhausted ali <,,, ,* < i ,1

ready, and hc-expects to see some factories close down, and next week the gas company. The meat freezing companies affected by the restricted train services will close to-morrow. \ BALLOT AT HUNTLY.., SMALL MAJORITY FAVOUR RESUMING; . IPm Pr;»« /miil'tn'ini) 1; ■ AUCKLAND, April 20. ' The Iluntly miners to-day took a ballot on ;tlie question of striking. The j voting was:— ■ . In favour of downing tools Ho For continuance of work'.... 122 _. ' \ ' Majority for working .. ~"-■ 7 The mine will not be working on Monday owing to repairs, EFFECT ON RACING, ASHBURTON CLUB'S AUTUMN MEETING,.,-.:-PROBABLE ABANDONMENT. ' , In view of the absolute necessity for curtailment of the train, servjees on : account of the coal strike, it is more than probable that the Ashburton Racing Club's autumn fixture will have to be abandoned. Own/rs and trainers can feel certain (writes the Ashburton correspondent of the Press)' that the Ashburton Racing Club will do all possible to cope with the present situation, and-hold the meeting. Should'it have to be abandoned, the Ashburton Racing-Club will see that no nominator will be at a loss. •.

MINERS' WIVES, ACTION BY WOMEN'S NATIONAL RESERVE, OHRISTCHURCH, April 20, At a largely-attended meeting of the Women's National Reserve heid yesterday morning, a member who has just returned from the West Coast gave a graphic description of the state of things she found when she visited Runanga, and also gave her impressions of the attitude of the miners wives on the subject of the strike.

The members of the Reserve were impressed by the remarks made by their fellow-member, and it appeared to the meeting that some good results would follow upon an appeal from the women of Canterbury to, the miners' wives on tnV West Coast to exert their influence on their husbands to return to work.