BAD OUTLOOK

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 10898, 12 May 1921, Page 6

BAD OUTLOOK

THE GOAL DEADLOCK MOBILISATION OF THE NATION PREDICTED. A MELANCHOLY SITUATION. Bt Telegraph—Prose Assn.—Coprright. Australian anil N 7 Cab'e Association. LONDON, May 10. The coni situation has reached Mich an acute stage that the Australian Press Agency learns on high authority that it may he necessary to mobilise the nation within seventy-two hours to cope with the position. LONDON, May 10. Speaking at the stationers’ Hall, at the luncheon tendered .to the , Hon. VV. McPherson. Treasurer of Victoria, Mr Winston Churchill dealt with the seriousness of the coal situation, which, it was clear, could not continue indefinitelv. The streets of the great industrial centres were crowded with the workless. It was a melancholy situation that our rivals and late enemies, nntl even our friends, were actively pressing forward to take advantage of Britain’s follies. Even coal, which was necessary to maintain the life of our great cities, was now menaced and made the object of continuous attack. He was confident that a good outcome would be reached for all parties eventually. We were at a bad point at the oresent moment, calling for efforts similar to those when our lives were menaced in 1014. The community was greater than any section, and could not be ruled by anv section. The nation must assert itself, but when it had asserted itself it must show it does not wish to triumph over any section.. We should remember the part the miners played in the war. No vindictive triumph should enter into the settlement.

POSITION MOBT SERIOUS iPOSSTBILITY OF TRANSPORTERS STRIKING. IDNDON, May 10. In view of Mr Churchill’s ominous statements at the luncheon to the Hon. W. M. McPherson, the newspapers regard the possibility of a transport strike as most serioits. The railway extremists, taking advantage of the absence of Mr Thomas in America to try for a stoppage by both railwayman and transporters, believe they will have the fun support of the unions if they are suspended or discharged for assist-1 ingtho miners. j The executive of tho transporters j had a four hours? discussion this afternoon regarding the Scottish dockers’ ! demand for a general strike, and also! to decide whether to support the ban on sea-borne coal. The executive decided to continue its policy and tighten: the embargo on coal likely to defeat I the miners. ' The resolution continues: “To us as: trade. Unionists sending foreign coal. to 'Britain is morally the same as if; the Government imported blacklegs to work the mines. We cannot be parties to handling this coal. We are consulting the railway men to render the block-, ade even more effective.” j Meanwhile a Cabinet meeting decid- : ed on the most resolute action in connection with coal for public utility services. Volunteers to-day are unloading sea-borno coal at London. Glasgow, and Yarmouth under police protection. The Glasgow blockage of London has been successfully broken. The Greenwich power station, which serves the London trams, alone’* uses 3600 tons weekly. .When the barges arrived at Greenwich to-day the cranemen refused to j % work, and were instantly dismissed, f Volunteers took their placeis, and the I unloading of the coal was completed. ■ It is authoritatively stated that large consignments are on ■ the tray from America. It is quite practicable te impart millions of tons from America j •lone. | The municipalities of Brighton, Folkestone, and other seaside resort* are taking steps to obtain supplies of] foreign coal direct, which trill be tin-1 loaded and distributed by volunteer i labour. The seaside resorts are losing great sums weekly .owing to the absence of visitors. j Meanwhile, fresh conversations have! commenced among the Labour leaders! to n» if the miners can he assisted' to discover a new basis of negotiations. LONDON, May 10. The transporters’ executive has passed a resolution that it will continue to forbid tbe importation of foreign coal, as not to do so would be equivalent to allowing the Government to- bring in blackleg labour and break the strike. STRAINED RELATIONS. Received May 11, 6.5 p.m.) LONDON. May 10. The “Daily Express” says that the transporters' meeting was stormy and there, was great divergence of opinion. Relations between Messrs Williams ana Cramp were also exceedingly strained. Mr Cramp is beginning to realise that lie landed himself in an extremely awkv wand mess aa national leader in Mr Thomas’s absence. He wav not sure of his executive or men. It is probable Mr Cramp and some of his executive will seek an interview with Sir Brio Geddes to-day. Oil FOR COAL CONVERSION OF LOCOMOTIVES. LONDON, May 10. Six railway companies, including the . North-Western, Great Western, and Metropolitan, are converting their locomotives to use oil fuel instead of coal. This can be done in four days. A ton of crude petroleum will do the work of two tons of coal. The cost of conversion is £3OO per locomotive. (Received May 11, 6.5 p.m.) LONDON, May 10. , The London CXiunty Council announces that it is adapting the machinery at the Greenwich power station in order to use oil fuel instead of coal for tho trains. The change will commence at Whitsuntide. (Received May 11, 6.5 p.m.) LONDON, May 10. Coal manufacturers in the Midlands are attempting to substitute oil for coal, which is cheaper to handle, but hitherto has bean too dear. Now the price of oil has been halved it will rival coal. Tbe stoppage of coal has giten oil a start which will not be •aaity won back. All over the country boilers aro being converted, and tho results are better than was expected.

THE RAILWAYMEN QfUESTION OF FOREIGN COAL. Mr Smith, at a mass meeting in Yorkshire, said that though, they coukt not abandon their principles tho miners wanted to get out of trouble, but would not crawl put. If anything was put forward which they thought

they could accept the executive would not hesitate to take a-ballot. w

It ia expected.that, the railwaymen’s executive will meet.on Friday to decide. their attitude in connection with foreign coal." The railwaymen in all parts of North England are urging the executive to call a national stoppage for Sunday.