THE RECENT STRIKE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 14287, 2 May 1917, Page 7

THE RECENT STRIKE.

GOVERNMENT'S ACTION EX-

PLATNED,

(Per -Press Association.) WELLINGTON, last night. In a statement made after Cabinet arrived at. ite> decision this afternoon, Sir Jaanes-Allen said it was made clear to the delegates at the meetings on the Coast that jf they did not settle with their employers at .the conference the coal uninCrs, roust not look to members of the Government as a means for further oonsideratioh^.; It was also made clear that the. 'Government could not and would not, interfere with the Courts of Justice, and.t'that .the trial of the men must prodped"' . In • entering into on arrangement Vat the conference with the delegates 'Vthe^ Ministers were influenced by the gra-Vity of the general situation. During tiine;of war it .was necessary that transjiorts .should be coaled and reinforcertients despatched to the front regularly and,- with expedition. It was likewise bf^'yital importance that vessels carrying 'produce and food supplies for England shbu'ld sail as speedily as possible. A -'. pontinuance of the strikemeant serious dislocation and perhaps complete ' cessation of business m the country apd' lthe stoppage of railway services, tramways, shipping, lighting, and probably* 1 freezing- works, m which thousands •<# pounds of produce were stored, j hot mention distress and inconvenience; which the public generally would suffer through the continuance of the stofipa'g'e 'of coal supplies. As a result of -th-*!- action the Government had taken a \ 'sei*ioiis calamity had probably been averted, and it was a matter of satisfaction '•■to- know that to-day our ports were'; bfting worked and that the coal mining, industry was again m full operation. '. *'.' -; ' ' -