PLIGHT OF ROTORUA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 17459, 1 May 1920, Page 8

PLIGHT OF ROTORUA.

STRIKE ISOLATES TOWN.

FOOD SUPPLIES SHORT.

'RATIONING POSSIBLE.

ANXIOUS TIME FOR VISITORS. [>? TELEGRAPH.—SI'ECIAt, BEPOBTtB.J ROTORUA, Friday.

With tho Prince and his party safely out of Rotorua, those who have perforce been left behind have nothing to distract (heir attention from their own situation, and in every accommodation house ' the guests are gathering into little committees of ways and moans to canvass the chances of making a speedy start for home by some of the routes offering. The position at present is that most of tium, optimistic enough to hope that the strike may be speedily and amicably settled, are not inclined to make definite arrangements for some decidedly expensive method of getting away. Should there be no definite news of a possible resumption of the trains by this evening it is probable that an exodus will begin to-morrow by every route that presents itself.

Meanwhile the situation in the town is not without a tinge of anxiety. The local agent of the Tourist Department, Mr. W. Hill, explained this afternoon that tho food position was rather serious. The stocks at present in the town are only normal. There has been a great influx of people for the Royal visit, and unless there is some speedy settlement of the itrike the town may be faced with a system of rationing. Mr. Hill has been appointed the local representative of the Board of Trade, and is empowered to take such steps as may be advisable to ration the supplies of such commodities, including bemuno, as theve may be in the town. At present he him been instructed to announce that no increase of prices will be permitted over those ruling on April 26, under penalty of prosecution. Associated with Mr. Hill is the executive of the Chamber of Commerce, forming a sort of Citizens' Committee to deal with the whole position. The committee asked all the food shops to remain closed all day yesterday. They have been allowed to open to-day, but havo been asked to ! sell only the smallest possible quantities \ to each customer.

The difficulty being experienced is similar to that suffered by all inland towns during a period of railway stoppage. Utless stocks can be obtained from Taurangu, tlere. is no hope of getting any immediate supplies. On account of there being in Rotorua a largo military hospital, to 6ay nothing of the native camp, for which the Government is responsible. Government conveyances in the shape of motor-lorries will doubtless bo put on the road, as these institutions must be supplied with necessaries by the Government. The Government has intimated that so far as practicable local traders will be supplied with goods by means of these i conveyances. There is also the bare possibility of the Railway Department running " food" trains. The Citizens' Committee is meeting every day, and is r considering an organisation for issuing ration tickets or cards on the system which obtained in other countries during war time. The health of the town is quite normal. There are a large number of heavy colds about, principally among the Maoris, hut Mr. Hill states that this is only to be expected, since they are living under canvas, and especially in view of the weather conditions which hare obtained of late. It may be added that rigid precautions ore being taken so that all suspicious cases are at once sent into isolation and kept there until there is no question of the sickness being anything more serious. Mr. Hill has reported to the Board of Trade that the town is on the verge of a fuel famine, and has asked that portions of the coal stocks in the railway station yards should be released to supply its daily requirements.

THE FARMERS' INTERESTS.

TRANSPORT OF PRODUCE.

UNION TAKING ACTION.

An endeavour in b«ing made by the provincial executive of the Farmers' Union to arrange for a road transport service to carry essential goods, to and from the farming districts. Mr. J. Boddie, provincial president of the union, stated last: evening that it was imperative some sort of transport service should be organised to carry cream to the dairy factories and butter to the cold stores, and also to bring essential goods to the farmers. His executive had communicated with Urn various co-operative companies in the South Auckland district, with the object of co-ordinating the efforts of the various concerns in the interest* of the fanners. Mr. Boddie explained that this action was not in any way antagonistic to the railway men, and that the union had no intention of interfering in any way with the efforts of those men to obtain proper consideration of their demands by the Government. It was obvious, however, that the farmers had to take action to preserve their own interests as far ae- possible, and this vrould be done without prejudice to the railwaymen.

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POSTAL DISCONTENT.

FEELING RUNS HIGH.

AUCKLAND RESOLUTION.

IMMEDIATE ACTION URGED.

"A SIDE-STEPPING GOVERNMENT."

The executive of tho Auckland section of tie Post and Telegraph Officers' Association met yesterday. There was a full attei dance, and the following resolution was carried :— "We consider tho shelving- of the war boms, promised by Sir Joseph Ward, to be a disgrace to any Government and an insu't to the intelligence of the members of tie post and telegraph service. We desire that the press be fully advised that despite frequent requests within ,the last few months no interview with either 'the Prime Minister or the PostmasterGensral has been granted. The time is now opportune to press the claims of the service, in conjunction with those of the railway men, that definite salaries, excluding- bonuses, ho fixed immediately, such salaries to bo bnsod upon the relation of the cost of living now and that obtaining in 1914. In our opinion the Government itself is causing discontent by not fixing tho salaries on a fair basis, as it has made other employers do, and any strike which has been or will be tho outcome of such dilly-dallying' will be entirely warranted to impress on the Government the feelings of the men. We ask that the Executive Council be called together immediately, temporarily ignoring rule 17a (which provides that a month s notice shall be given). Failing tho consideration of our demands the executive instructs all branches to call stop-work, meetings to consider what further action shall be taken." ' . The following resolution was nlso carried:—" That this executive committee expresses its whole heartod sympathy with the railway men in the position which a side-stepping Government has placed them. Further, tho executive pledges them moral and financial support."

r»EUNG Or THAMES BRANCH. DISAPPOINTMENT expressed. [tt TELEGRAPH.— CORRESPONDENT.]" THAMES, Friday. A large and representative meeting of the Thames section of the Post and Telegraph Officers' Association was held last evening. Tho attendance was a record. Telegrams were received from all district offices expressing their view on the war bonus and salaries questions. The following resolution was carried unanimously:— , "That this meeting of post and tele graph officers, representing the Thames district, is disappointed that no increases are proposed to bo given, despite the high cost of living, and that the war bonus promise by Sir ■ Joseph Ward, while * member of the National Government, is also lost on » technicality. That tho Prime Minuter, havin? refused to meet tho executive and discuss the position, they present an urgent ultimatum to him. demanding an interview within three days on tho whole question of bonus and salaries. If the interview is still refused, this section will { support the executive in any further notion they think fit to take to obtain justice." , , ~ The meeting passed » vote of sympathy with the railway men, and recommended their cause to trio executive for moral and financial support.

TIMARU RESOLUTIONS. " DISCOURTEOUS TREATMENT." TBT TELIGKAFH.— ASSOCIATION.] TIMARU. Friday. At a well-attended meeting of the Timaru branch of the Postal and Telegraph Officers' Association the following resolutions were pawed:— "That this meeting strongly rebuts the Prime Minister's discourteous treatment of our executive committee in refusing to arrange an interview, as previously promised. We now request tho executive to demand the right to be heard, and that •he Prime Minister be requeued to arrange an interview forthwith. Further, so again press for the immediate payment •>f tho war bonus promised by Sir .losopli »Vard. Failing a. reasonable attitude on the part of the Prime Minister, we request the executive to immediately arrange a secret ballot to decide on n further courfe of action." "This meeting tenders the railwaymen its best wishes for a successful and early termination of their fight for improved conditions, and informs this asroclation's executive that it is favourable to striking a levy to finance the men affected." STOP-WORK MEETINGS URGED. PALMERSTON RECOMMENDATION". [BY TELEGRAPH.— PRESS ASSOCIATION.] rAUIERSTON NORTH. Friday. The chairman of the Mauawatu section of the Post and Telegraph Officers' Asao- ] ciation says that the association received a ' telegram from Wellington headquarters to- • day asking what action the section would 1 take if the Government continued to "sideI step" an interview. The reply was that 1 stop-work meetings should be called in every office on Monday next.