POSSIBILITIES OF A GENERAL STRIKE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 12614, 4 December 1909, Page 5

POSSIBILITIES OF A GENERAL STRIKE.

The telegram from Greymouth that "a general strike is 'fully expected this week," in connection with the coal miners' grievances,, bears out 'the views held on this matter by, a Wellington resident who has jtist been, on a visit South, and who has come into touch with prominent people in the coal-min-.ing world (states the New Zealand Times). He \says „that a general strike of New Zealand cdal ihiriers is bound to come, and the sooner the better, for then <the atmosphere would be cleared. A general strike of coal miners of the Dominion was predicted during -the last Christmas holidays, but, wiser counsels prevailed. Since then there have . been mutterhiga and discontent throughout the year, and > * the coal trade has been ,in a state of uncertainty ? "for fear that at any time -the miners Irnighfc'go put., Ar to the present troiible in the Siate coal mines, this was, added our informant, simply being nisfid as the fuse to set the powder alight. If the Sfcite; granted the demand made by the striking miners it would be » cheating a new standard and ' payinent not how in vogue in any, private' companies, under threat' ■ of strikes, would ; be compelled to come into line With the State standard, and thus instead of the 1 " issue .being only £4000, in the -end it would really be a matter .of- 'from £60*000 to £90,000 as affecting the ; private companies. .The situation was inuoh more critical than most people believed, and the Socialist agitators now on the West Goast were helping to fan the flame of discontent. ■■ -- „'.■•