AUSTRALIAN NEWS THE COAL SITUATION

Southland Times, Issue 18935, 23 September 1920, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

THE COAL SITUATION

MINERS’ EXECUTIVE CONFERENCE. NO DECISION REPORTED. DOMINION OUTLOOK GRAVE. I (Per United Press Association.) j WELLINGTON. September 23. 1 The executive of the Miners’ Federation i sat again all day to-day discussing the j strike at the Waikato coal-mines. Mr ■ Arbudde, secretary the Federation, stated j to a reporter that up to the present he had • nothing to report. ) There arc possibilities of the coal-mines i throughout, the Dominion becoming involved if the strike at Ptikctniro and Rotowaru is not settled, as Mr Arbucklc stated, a few days ago that the men in other mines had pledged themselves to stand by the members of the Huntly Union. If no agreement is reached soon regarding the dispute in the north it is feared that the position generally will become serious. MR MASSEY AND THE MINERS’ EXECUTIVE. WELLINGTON, September 22. The Prime Minister had a long interview to-day with the coal miners’ executive regarding the coal trouble. Nothing definite eventuated, and another interview has been arranged for 10-morrow. AUCKLAND IN BAD STRAITS. NO FURTHER HELP FROM RAILWAYS. AUCKLAND, September 22, The Premier informed the Mayor that nn ] coal can he lent from the railways, which ! makes a tramway stoppage at the end of | (tie week appear inevitable, while there will ! lie a general restriction of electricity. I The arrival of a Japanese collier improves ! the railway supplies, but a restricted time- ! table will lie prepared, to be used should ; occasion arise. j NO RELIEF IN SIGHT. | PROVINCIAL RAILWAY CUT PROBABLE j AUCKLAND, September 22. Owing to the shortage of coal the trami way services will almost certainly have to ! erase running on Saturday, while industries 1 ami householders are already seriously in- ■ convenionced. The Mayor stated this mornling that the Council’s efforts to obtain sup--1 plies of coal from shipments arriving to-day i had been futile, as he had received the following message, from the Prime Minister ex- ; plaining the Railway Department’s inability Mo accede to the Corporation’s request for i the Joan of 1000 tons of coal :—"Replying S to your telegram. I have made careful in- ! quiries regarding your request for the loan jot 100(1 tons of coal from the railways, but I regret that, the present position of their : stocks renders (his impracticable. I have • made further urgent representations, however, to the Prime Minister of (he Commonwealth, urging that instructions be given for the immeaiato release of coal for vessels awaiting cargoes at. Newcastle for New Zealand, and will advise you r.-f Iho position ion receipt of a reply. Meantime every i poss.hle effort will be made to secure supi ;>lies for the city’s activities.” ; A reply we.;; also received by the Mayor I from the General Manager of Railways, conj ve\ ing the inability of the Railway Depart - | mr-nt to release coal for loan to the city. ' The head of the department most directly :er I.ee-ncd with the fuel position for the Auckland railways suggested (he possibility ! of another railway “out” in the near future, : The Auckland railways are in a position to j earn’ on for some time yet with supplies |of roke and Newcastle and Mount Kenibla j coal now available, but it is the "rivral | opinion in the yards that unless conditions ! alter for the better verv quickly an almost | immediate "cut.” null have to be brought j into operation to conserve supplies.