"WORK OF AGITATORS."

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17957, 6 December 1921, Page 6

"WORK OF AGITATORS."

MEN CAN GAIN NOTHING. AMPLE STOCKS OF COAL. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] CHRISTCHURCH. Monday. Christchurch business men with interests m the coalmining districts contend that the present trouble is the work of agitators, who would rather have anything than industrial peace. The now award, they say, is merely being used'as a means to stir up strife. It is pointed T>ut that the miners at the Kaitangata mine (Otago) decided by a five to one majority to accept the altered conditions and reduced wages and continue work. People who know the district say Kaitangata is a mining town where the "foreign element" carries no weight, and -where the majority of the men own thir /houses and possess some civic pride. The Kaitangata men have a reputation for healthy independence. They do not strike because such a course is ordered by a council of propagandists in Wellington. t " This is the old fight," said a coalmine owner to-day. " The Arbitration Court has nothing directly to do with it. 1 The truth is that the disciples of Karl Marx are again on the warpath. They must,either cause trouble or emigrate. The miners are foolish to be led astray by such agitators. They mfat (get tne worst of ihe deaf. A strike now can cause the general public no inconvenience, and the Government 1 will simply be forced to arrange for heavier importations." " Christchurch ' could last another six months without a further ton of ccal coming in," said a coal dealer. "There are ample stocks in every yard. Importations have been heavy lately; and industries are well prepared for all developments. In fact, after the last shortage the factory owney agreed on ona thing—we won't !.be .caught again. The railway depot at Linwood is full of coal, enough to last eight or nine months under tho restricted service: The freezing companies havo sufficient to see the season out."