THE COAL STRIKE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9631, 11 April 1917, Page 4

THE COAL STRIKE

DULLER MINES UNLIKELY TO START TO-DAY. Pres* Association. WESTPORT, April 10. It is not anticipated that there will ho any work at the coal mines in the Duller district to-morrow, as even should the minors 1 be willing to turn to it will take a day at least to make the necessary preliminary preparations for resumption of work. The discharging of cargo proceeded as usual at the waterside. , AUCKLAND MEN BEFORE THE" - COURT. Press Association. AUCKLAND, April 10. The coal miners arrested under the War Regulations came before the court to-day, and wore remanded to April 18th. ■ PROTEST FROM AUSTRALIAPress Association. . MELBOURNE. April 10. Hie Interstate Conference of Peace Advocates resolved that it was time prosecutions under the War Regulations ceased. Attention was called to the condition of Now Zealand workers under conscription. The .conference decided to send an emphatic protest to the Now Zealand Government.

SIE JAMES ALLEN HOPES MEN WILL GO BACK. Asked by a “Times'’ representative yesterday if he had any statement to make with regard to the coal strike on tho West Coast, the Hon. Sir James Allen (Acting-Premier and Minister for Defence) replied;—“l have nothing to say, more than that I hope the men will go back to work. At a time like this, when every ounce of coal is required for Admiralty purposes, for transports, and to keep the country 7 going, it- does not) surely, need an appeal to patriotism to urge the men to continue their output, and their normal output. They pay that they have gone out because of conscription and tho Military Service Act, but it is difficult to sec why they should select this particular time for that,, when they have had an opportunity to do so for so many months past; and I find it difficult to accept that as the reason. They oarently-—of course, the . courts have got to say whether it is so or not—adopted a go-slow policy; and that appears to me to be unwise in their own interests, as it certainly is unwise so far as the country and bringing the war to amend are concerned. To stop supplies when they are urgently needed docs not seem to me to be very loyal.” “Has the time come yet when you can say what steps are to be taken in regard to the matter?” asked the representative. “The only steps to be taken, I hope,” said Sir James, “will be that the men will go back. The Government does not want to do anything harsh and severe. We are only too anxious to see the men back.”