THE COAL STRIKE

Otago Witness, Issue 3292, 18 April 1917, Page 25

THE COAL STRIKE

SIR JAMES ALLEN INTERVIEWED. GOVERNMENT DOES NOT DESIRE HARSHNESS. WELLINGTON, April 10. : When asked to-day if ho had any statement to make with regard to the coal strike on the West Coast, Sir James Allen replied: " I 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 transport, and to keep the country going, it surely does not need an appeal to the patriotism of the men to continue their output, and their normal output. They say they have gone out because of conscription and the Military Service Act, but it is difficult to see why they should select this particular time for that when they have had on opportunity to do so for so many months past. I find it difficult to accept that as the reason. They have apparently adopted the 'go slow' policy, and that appears to me to be unwise in their own interests, as it certainly is unwise so far as the interests of the country and tho bringing of the war to an end aro concerned. To stop the supplies when they are so urgently needed does not seem to me to be very loyal." "Has the time come yet when you can say what steps aro to bo taken in regard to the matter?" asked tho reporter. "The only steps to be taken, I hope," replied Sir James, "will be that the men will go back. The Government docs not want to do anything harsh. We are only too anxious to see the men back."

(From Oca Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, April 10

Sir James Allen said he intended to communicate with the men by telegram. "I shall tell them," ho said, "that the Admiralty wants coal for Admiralty purposes, and I shall ask them to supply it. I want to- appeal to these men on patriotic grounds to come back to work to supply the needs of the Admiralty'and the needs of the country. It is urgently necessary that coal should be available for the use of the navy, for our owji transports, and for the ships of our mercantile marine which take food supplies to the men at the front. I can't think of any stronger appeal that could be made to any human being than that. Jt seems to mo that their action is a very wrong one, because the cutting off of supplies must jeopardise our chances of winning the war. Surely the first duty of every man now is to do his best to help to finish the war. "About the ' go slow' tactics which are alleged to have been adopted, I do not wish to say anything. It is for the court to say whether there has been any such thing, but if it is true that the men have deliberately limited their output, I say that the 'go slow' policy seems to me to be worse almost than the total cessation of work." MINISTER'S PRESENCE DESIRED. WESTPORT, April 11. At a large and representative meeting tonight ' it, was resolved to send a request that the Acting Prime Minister or the Minister of Minos visit Wcstport immediately and confer with the miners on strike, as the meeting was strongly of opinion that the miners were ill-advised in their recent action. The meeting believes that a large section of the miners is ready to return to work. CONFERENCES WITH MINISTERS. WESTPORT, April 15. . Sir James Allen and the Hon. W. D. S. MacDonakl arrived on Saturday" to confer with the miners on strike in the Duller district. In the evening the Ministers held a lengthy conference in Wcstport with the representatives of the several unions, and are meeting them again to-night, and also the delegates arriving from Greymouth. SECRET BALLOT TO BE TAKEN. WESTPORT, April 16. The Acting Prime Minister and the Minister of Mines addressed the miners at Millcrton, Stockton, and Dcnniston to-day, putting, it is understood, the, position plainly before them. The press was not admitted. The Ministers returned to Wcstport this evening, and will leave on a visit to Greymouth in the morning. It is intended on Thursday to take a secret ballot of the miners in the Bullcr district on the question of resuming work. HOMES -FOR WIVES AND CHILDREN. CHRISTCTIURCH, April 16. A bi<r meeting- of Labour supporters last night discussed the municipal elections from the Labour outlook. Reference was made by Messrs Webb and M'Combs, M.F.'s. to the miners on the Coast. The meeting unanimously resolved — '•'That this meeting of Christchurch citizens send their greetings to the" miners on strike, and offer homes to their wives and children if they send them over." , It was stated that arrangements were in hand to house 1000 women and children if necessary. COAL FOR THE RAILWAYS. SERIOUS SHORTAGE THREATENED. WELLINGTON, .April 16. Users of the railways were very much shocked when the department announced its recent scheme of curtailment of services, but unless the mission of the two Ministers who are now on the West Coast trying to induce the miners to go back to work in the coal mines is successful, a very much greater reduction in services will have to be made. The change will have to be made at short notice, but probably notice of one week will be given. In :,he scheme already announced the Government did not propose to cut down the goods traffic, but if a further reduction in the .services has to be made the goods trains will have to be reduced. An effort will be made to carry ail essential commodities, but other jjoods may on occasion be .shut out. There will bo_ no delay for the preparation of the new time-tables, because the arrangements were, all made at Christmas, when the general strike danger was regarded as a real one. STRIKE AT WAIPA. \ L'CKLAND, April 16. Information \va- received in Auckland tonight that the con; miners employed at the

Waipa collieries, near Ngaruawahia, went out on striko this morning. There aro between 150 and 200 men in the employ of tho company. Tho men employed by the Taupiri mines and by tho Pukcmiro collieries held an important meeting to-night, tho result of which has not yet transpired. It is expected, however, that the men working in this group of mines at Hunfly may go out on strike to-morrow. Tho Taupiri Company employs over 350 men, and tho Pukomiro Company from 180 to 200. So far as can be ascertained, tho men concerned have not given any reason for their action, and the only motive that can bo assigned to them is their opposition to conscription. i It is hoped that further trouble may bo averted by an early settlement of the strike of the West Coast miners by the Acting Prime Minister and Mr MacDonald.

PUPONGA AND NORTH CAPE STOP. It is learnt by the Nelson Mail that the miners at Puponga and- North Capo, in common with tho miners in other parts of the dominion, have gone on striko, and no work is being done at cither mine. The stocks of coal in hand in Nelson are likely to last for some littlo time, but the position for tho dominion generally ia cne of tho greatest gravity. Supplies for steamers cannot last long, but the railways are believed" to have fairly large stocks in reserve AUSTR AIJ A N WO RKERS APPROACHED. SYDNEY", April 13. Tho secretary of the Australasian Coal and Shaie Employees Federation has sent a circular to the lodges expressing sympathy with tho New Zealand miners, and asking trade unionists to stand behind and support their fellow workers, The secretary, referring to the remarks passed at tho Labour Council, states that unless an attempt is made to supply New Zealand with coal from Australia there is no likelihood of the trouble extending to Australia.

The new Council of the Federation will meet on Tuesday to consider the elTect en Australia

In view of the strike of coal miners on the West Coast the position in the Christhurch coal trade is occasioning some serious investigation and consideration, both to those in the trade, large consumers, and the general public (says the Press). The (State Coal Depot, under instructions from Wellington, has ceased taking orders for further supplies, which means that, when the present stocks (already booked up) are exhausted, the depot will bo empty.