THE COAL STRIKE AND THE RAILWAY SERVICES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16981, 18 April 1917, Page 4

THE COAL STRIKE AND THE RAILWAY SERVICES.

While tho community is either protesting against the details of the scheme of curtailed train services, necessitated by the reduction in the' Railways Department's staff through the operation of the Military Service Act, or is reconciling itself to the prospect of suffering a measure of inconvenience—serious in some cases—in order that the military requirements of the country may be met, it is confronted with a much more drastic scheme of reduction of services which> is to come'into operation almost immediately. This reduction, which is accompanied by a modification of tho Cook Strait ferry steamer service, is the direct effect of the shortage of coal supplies consequent on the stoppage of work in the West Coast mines. A glance at some of the more important features of the arrangements, which are to take effect from Monday next, so far as thoy relate to the railway services in this, district, will show how far-reaching the effect ofthe coal strike is. There will fee only one daily express train each way between Christchurch and Dunedin as well as between Dunedin and InvercargilL The morning train from Dunedin, to Oanraru will run only twice a week, and the afternoon train also will be limited to two runnings a week,' with a similar curtailment of the service from Oamaru to Dunedin. There will be neither morning nor afternoon train between theso two stations on Mondays and Thursdays. There wild be no evening trains between Dunedin and Port Chal-' mors or between Dunedin and Moagiel on any day in the week, and the trains during the business hours of the, day will be entirely discontinued. The forenoon train from Dunedin to Clinton will run twice only during the week, and the afternoon train will run on three days only. The Otago Central service will be cut down to three days a week, and on this line the trains from Dunedin will ran on the same days as the trains to Dunedin. On four days in the week there will be only one train each way between Mosgiel and Outram. The service between Milton and Beaumont will be cut down to a train each way on alternate days, and on the same days there will be an additional train each way between Milton and Lawrence. There will be no trains on the Catlius River branch on three days in the week, and the through train from'fialclutha to Tahakopa will run only twice a week. The goods traffic will similarly be curtailed in drastic fashion and will be strictly limited to the absolute minjmnm of teams required to provide for the actual provisioning of the different localities. We make no comment on the details of this rearrangement of the railway services. They may be open to criticism in some respects, but, whether they admit of improvement or not, it is dlear that, under the best scheme of restricted services that may be devised, the coal strike is going to affect -very severely the ordinary routine of the life of the community botli in the town? and in the countrj. Of this, however, w<? are satisfied, that the residents of the dominion will put up with all the inconveniences ami even with the temporary hardships that may be imposed upon them rather than submit to an arrogant demand by the persons employed in any one industry in the dominion that they shall be allowed to dictate how and in what manner the laws of the whole country shall be framed. For, if we take at its face value the miners'' own declaration of the grounds upon which they ceased work, they claim t/he right to declare that an Act passed almost unanimously by Parliament in the interests of the Empire as a whole shall be reduced to a dead letter and repealed. No person is likely to deny the importance of the "coal mining industry—if anyone were disposed to do so the effect caused by a few days' stoppage of work in the principal collieries of the dominion should speedily disabuse his mind on the point—but the community cannot permit the -workers in any industry, however important it may be, to assume the role of absolute dictators of the policy of the country. 'The claim which the miners on the West Coast have made is so intolerable and so tyrannical that the public must show its determination to reject it. It may be, of course, that the strike may be short-lived. In all probability it will be. The more seriously-minded of the miners, those among them who have been proof against the attempt to inoculate them with the deadly virus of disloyalty and sedition— for, of course, the strike is not only a blow aimed at the Government and people of the dominion but also at tho whole Empire during the greatest crisis in its history—may be suffioiently numerous to reverse at the secret ballot this week the decision to which the irresponsible "hotheads" induced them to agree when they resolved to strike. But if the ballot should be unfavourable to a resumption of work the public of New Zealand will have to make up its mind to show the miners that they are not to be allowed to regulate the affairs of the country precisely i u a manner that will conform to their sweet pleasure, irrespective of the views of the overwhelming mass of the people.

Mr J. J. Clark (Mayor), at his meeting in the Wakari Hall last night, informed his auditors that the net profits ot tho city's trading departments last year amounted to £44,417, as against £33,431 in 1916.

The net profit of the- year's working of the Wellington municipal electric lighting undertaking (a Press Association message states) is £16,258, and the tramways profit £12,863.

A Press Association telegram from Wellington advises that an Ordor-in-Council has been gazetted declaring the following to bo essential, industries:—Tho shipping industry, carriage of goods by land or sea, lading and unlading ships, and the frozen meat industry. Persons acting in a. manner to interfere with these services' aro liable to a fine of £100' or to 12 months' imprisonment. A meeting of tho waterside workers of Port Chalmers was held yesterday to consider the recent agreement reached by the Wellington conference with tho employers. A secret ballot was taken up to 5 p.m. yesterday, and tho result will bo sent to the federation at Wellington, to bo counted in conjunction with those from tho o'.her ports of New Zealand.

An Auckland Press Association messago states that Thomas Hodgson, manager of tho Northern Boot Factory, was "found hanging in tho woodshed at his residence yesterday.

Tho trustees of the Dunedin Savings Bank resolved at thoir meeting yesterday afternoon to accept a tender for alterations and improvements to their premises in Lower High street. Theso alterations wctdd give much needed additional accommodation to tho bank's customers and facilities for its increasing business. Tho amount of ike ftcocptad tender ie otejc £2000.

Tho k'giil profession in Auckland proposes to make contribution to tho country's war work in tho lorm of gratuitous assistance to the boards of trustees for the management of soldiers' property. Suck boards (our Wellington correspondent states) will frequently require advice as to the mode in which a document in connection with a soldier trust should be executed, or the proper form of a power of 6alo or of leasing to bo inserted in a power of attorney or other deed of the kind. A circular has been issuec by tho Council of the Auckland Law Society to members of tho profession practising in tho Auckland judicial district suggesting that in suah matters and others of a similar character tho necessary work should be done freo of charge. Tho difficulty tho Auckland University Collego Council is likely to find itself in by reason of members of its staff going to the war was di&oussed by tho council on Monday. The caso under review (our own correspondent reports) was that of Professor Worley, who wrote stating that ho was in the Firsb Division, and was therefore likely to bo called upon under the ballot system to render military service. Tho chairman (Mr T. W. Leys) stated that Professor Worley had intimated that, on personal grounds, ho did not feel that lie could appeal for either total exemption or extended leave of absence. Professor Segar said that at present Professor Worley was doing the work of Professor Owen, who was at the war, and if ho wcro taken away it would mean that tho science department would have to be closed. At tho suggestion of the chairman it was decided that, should Professor Worley be drawn in the ballot, tho chairman bo authorised to appeal <>n his behalf for oxemption.

Intimation was received at Bluff on Friday that as Sir Joseph Ward, who has represented Lake County on the Bluff Harbour Board, was not re-nominated, and that the returning officer had declared the only nominee, Mr Peter Reed, duly elected as tlie Lake County member of tho 'board'. It will probably bo remembered (says the iScuthkmd Times) that Mr Heed contested tho seat with Sir Joseph Ward threo years ago, when, after personally visiting the districts and addressing tho electors, Sir Joseph was returned by 305 votes to 219. Provision is made for tho consent of any nominee by telegram, which, of course, covers cablegrams, and, although Sir Joseph's friends were expecting his consent, it did not come to hand. No doubt this circumstance will be accepted by some people as evidence that Sir Joseph does not intend to return to the dominion.

. The Acting-Ministor of Finance (the Hon. A. M. Myers) made passing reference, in sui interview with a representative of the Civistchurch Press on Monday, to the announcement already made that it will be necessary for tho House to authorise another loan for war purposes. "I venture to say," Mr Myers remarked, " that on this occasion it is the duty of all financial institutions and linns, and of individuals, to anticipate doing full justice to their responsibilities by taking up as much of the loan as their means will permit, and by setting aside as niuch money as possible, except what is absolutely required for reasonable necessities. Tho sale of war loan certificates is proceeding satisfactorily, and; in the meantime, small investors will be able to bake up such sums, through the Post Office, as their means jnsfriy. The same facilities for small investors will be .provided in respect of the new war loan." Visitors to Clyde cannot fail to notice a largo patch of green growth on the rocky hillside on the opposite, side of the river. This growth is the result of an. experiment which has been conducted by the Agricultural Department: The intention was to ascertain whether, if tho rabbits were kept off the land, .it would "come back" to its condition before tho . advent of the rabbit. Twenty-five acres of bare, rooky hillside were thoreforo closely fenced with rabbit-proof netting. Some - "plots"—if such a term could ibe applied to bare, hilly countrywere artificially planted, while others were left to Natura There was no irrigation, but it should be mentioned that Nature haa been kind to the goldfields district this season in tho matter of rainfall. This advantage given in, tlie results of tho experiment aro astonishing. Native blue mountain grass has sprung up; silver tussock is growing in fine style; cocksfoot—the seed of which has blown in—is three or four feet high; lucerne shows a good growth. The experiment has proved a convincing success, and an education to tho farmers in the Central district of what can be done through rabbit fencing. in tho good old days, when wild in tho woods of iNew _io_l_nd tile noble savage ran, there was a quaint custom, under wiiioli tho under-dog- in any contest or any misfortune had to submit to being plundered by any other Maori who came aiowg to despoil him; the law of "m-uru" was recognised as quite the proper thing. E-ven under our own veneer of civilisation something of tlie same kind happens (writes "Mereutio" in the New Zeaiand Herald), but wo call it now the hunt for souvenirs or curios. If report speaks truly, the curio collecting in connection with tlie recent Waimangu eruption was earned beyond the bounds of decency. People who had got to the scene of the disaster early had no scruples in annexing private property from tho ruined accommodation house, and before the representatives' of tho Government oame upon the scene and began packing up tho possessions of the unfortunate M'Cormick family, quite a holo had been 1 made in tho collection of ornaments and trinkets and tho like. From tho open way in which thp trophies were afterwards displayed in Rotorua there soemed to be a' notion abroad that such spoliation was allowable in tho circumstances. But is it creditable to the community that such heartless behaviour should be tolerated?.

Tho passengers by the slow train from Ashburton on Monday morning had a long wait at Rakaia (says the Christchurch Press), and tho passengers by the first express from Ohristc-huroh had an equally long wa.-t .at BanksiJe, owing to tho Rakaia bridge'being blocked by one of the New Zealand Express Company's big furniture vans breaking down through a faulty axle when reaching about a quarter of a mile from the north end of tho bridge. Tho Ashburton train was a very long one when first ready to leave Rakaia, but owing to the long delay in getting the furniture van cloar of the bridge, all the goods and sheep trucks wero detached, and when the train left, about 10.30, instead of about 8.30, it' was a passenger train only. The express train was a long and heavily-laden one, and tho passengers had a dreary time in their long wait at Banksido. The slow train from Ashburton arrived at Christohurch at 11.51 instead of 10.30 a.m. It was soon after 6 o'clock that the pantechnicon, which contained about four or five tons of furniture, broke down, and it was not until about 7.30 a.m. that the authorities became aware of tho trouble. A gang oE men quickly got to work and removed the obstacle with tho utmost expedition, though the work kept them busUy engaged for about two hours. A letter was received by the Auckland Fax mere . Union executive on Thursday asking, it to interest itself in tho employment of women on farma The writer stated that she had seen the success of this movement in other countries, and oh her return to New Zealand was surprised at the casual way in which it was considered hero, and suggested the establishment of farming schools for girl cadets, just as thero are similar institutions for boys. It was stated that through tho agency of tho writer, many capable girls had obtained farm work, and she had also received encouragin"- reports from the farmers. Tho communication concluded with, tho request not to suggest the Women's National Reserve,, as the writer "had tried it, and found it wanting, ,, nor the Efficiency Board. Discussing the retfuest, several of tho members gave instances to thoir personal knowlodgo whom women hud done men's work on farms. It was decided to circularise branches asking thorn to communicate on tho suggestion.

At tho annual meeting of householders of the Macundrcw Road School district on Monday tho chairman (Mr G. F. Bewley)stated that tho attendanco of the school had risen to 708 at the close of last year. From our report it appeared that Mr Bewloy had given that mimbor as the present attendance.

The City Fire Brigade received a call at 5.23 p.m. yesterday to No. 388 King street, where a chimney had taken firo. Tho outbreak was extinguished by tho chemical engine, no damage being demo. Tho story of a short, but rapid, career ot crime was told in the Wanganui Magistrate's Court last week, when a young inan named Percy Erickson, alias Peter Eriolcson, alias Frederick Bowman, appeared to answer tho following charges:—Breaking and entering the shop of Stanley Wilson, cycle agent, .Wanganui, and stealing a cash box and its contents, amounting to £9 15a 4d, on October 4; stealing a motor cycle valued at £50, the property of Jethro Smith, at Woodville, on November 6; stealing a motor cycle valued at £30 at Wanganui on November 13; and stealing a motor cyclo valued at £40 at Spreydon on November 18. It was stated that the accused was awaiting sentence oh nine other charges, including tho theft of six motor cycles. Tho total valuo of money and articles stolen amounted to £316. From tho evidence produced, Erickson appears to have had a mania for motor cycles. He would enter a town, steal a motor cycle, and make off to another town, where he would dispose of it for less than its value, and then steal another machine. It was also stated that ho had represented himself to bo a discharged soldier. Tho accused, who smiled frequently during tho proceedings, pleaded guilty to three of the fresh charges, and was committed to the Supreme Court at Wellington for sentence. He was remanded to appear at Wellington on the fourth charge

As a party of recruits belonging to tho Twenty-eighth Reinforcements wore proceeding by train from the northern districts towards Palmcrston North on Thursday evening a disturbance occurred between Morton and Feiiding, resulting in a man named Sch.ofi.eld 'being somewhat badly injured by being pushed through a window. Tho man was attended by a doctor at Feilding, and on arrival of the train at Palmerston, after further medical attention, he was removed to the hospital. In connection , with tho affair the military police took a recruit in charge, and the matter will be dealt with by the military authorities.

A preliminary meeting of transport workers was recently held in Auckland to discuss the advisab.lity of forming a transport workers' advisory board. The proposal is that such a board would deal with any matter affecting the workers represented thereon. Those from wnom it is proposed to form the board are the drivers and carters,. tramway and railway men, watersiders, and seamen. Tho organisers of the movement feel that, in the event of an industrial dispute affecting any one section of these workers, a deputation from the suggested board, by 'conferring with the employers or authorities concerned, might be ablo to bring about a settlement of the' matters ats issue by conciliatory methods. Another meeting to consider tho proposal is to iba held on April 24.

It is now somo weeks since the Board of Trade began to bo interested in the price of meat, and to take steps in some localises to limit tho retail prices to the consumer. Tho State shops in Auckland are now ancient history, and they continue to carry on successfully. A modified sohemo has been established in Masterton by which all the butchers, save one, are being' supplied from the Waingawa works with meat which is purchased by the' Government for the Imperial authorities, and the retailers are required to give an undertaking that certain maximum prices shall not be exceeded. In other townsrr-Napier, Hastings, and Palmerston North—the board- has fixed a schedule of -prices by agreement with tho local butchers, and tho butchers have promised that these prices shall not be exceeded without roierenco to tho board. It is reported that all the schemes arc working satisfactorily.

When a dairy farmer's appeal was being heard at tlio Military Appeal Board in Pahnerston North on Friday the appellant said that, if he went to camp, his dairy herd would have to bo sold and tho plaoa stocked with sheep, as his relatives would be unable to manage tho milking. Captain Waiker stated that he might be subject to correction, but he thought that if one dairy farm were closed down and devoted to the production of fat sheep tho country would not suffer -unnecessarily. He abo stated that ho understood that tho British Forces and the Allies were not purchasing butter at the present fame, although cheeso was being purchased in tho ordinary way. Another conference of representatives of local bodies on the subject of tho censorship of kmenia films will be held in Wellington this week. The conference uas been called at the instance of the New Zealand Catholic Federation, which has framed certain motions lor consideration. These set out'that, while the conference agrees that a. certain amount of good has been done, it is. of opinion that much, remains yet to do, and that several of the films officially approved have not been of an elevating tendency, but tho reverse. It therefore urges that, as tho right of appeal against tho decision of tha censor is given to the picture film proprietors, an equal right should be given to somebody representing all sections of tho public. Another motion sets out that the conference deprecates in the strongest manner tho exhibition of objoctionablo picture posters, and urges the Government to amend tho Act accordingly, and also to amend the Indecent and Offensive Publications Act with a. view to giving the police or municipal authorities power to prevent tie display of posters and tho publication of advertisements which, while not actually immoral or indecent, arc of an offensive and demoralising tendency.

Somo years bade the eexgeant of police in Masterton prosecuted the driver of a brewer's delivery van for having in his possession liquor, which, it was contended, constituted a breach of the Licensing' Act. The case went to the Appeal Court, and Mr Justico Edwards, in giving judgment against the police, stated that when liquor was sent into a no-license area in pursuance) of an order, and such liquor was refused, it could not be held that the. carter, in hay. ing it in liis possession, was keeping it for sale. A somewhat similar caso was heard at Masterton recently, when the driver ot a brewer's delivery cart was charg-ed with Belling liquor within a no-license- area, the offence being committed while in the act of delivering orders for which ho sometimes received cash. During tho hearing of the case Mr Justice Edwards's remarks in tho previous case were put forward by counsel for tho defence, and tho presiding ma<nstrato (Mr W. Kcrr) stated that, in kecpTng with tho reasoning of Mr Justice Edwards' it was a rightful proceeding' for tho carter referred to to have acted as he had done.

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