FIRST COAL TRAIN

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11437, 6 February 1923, Page 6

FIRST COAL TRAIN

SYSTEMATIC OBSTRUCTION. EVERYTHING “GOES WRONG,” Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received February 5, 7.20 p.m.) LONDON, February 4. Tho “Daily Chronicle's” Dusseldorf correspondent says: “Everybody is awaiting news of the first coal train to France. It started, manned by Frenchmen, but the stationmaster at Hohenbudberg refused to allow it to pass; signals and points went wrong, and the engine developed defects—and the train got no further. “If these difficulties attend the running of one coal train, What will be the trouble in dealing with the two hundred which are daily required to carry France’s portion of the reparation coal? German labourers in some places' have refused to accept from the French fivefold their normal wages to load coal.” MINERB UNCERTAIN BUT WANT MORE PAY. Reuters Telecram. (Received February 5, 12.35 a.m.) LONDON, February 4. According to advices from Essen, Bergborn, in the British zone, has been occupied, with the British consent, by the French. In pursuance of their policy of tightening control, they have prohibited the import and export of coal by-products, like benzol and ammonia. The attitude of the miners continues uncertain, except regarding their em-/ phatic objection to the presence of troops in the mines. The miners’ organisation a fortnight ago obtained a 77 per cent, increase! in wages, and is now demanding a fur-! ther addition, on the ground of the enormous rise in The cost of living.