COAL SHORT.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 September 1920, Page 5

COAL SHORT.

RAILWAY "CUT" POSSIBLE, UNLESS OUTLOOK IMPROVES, THE POSITION IN TARANAKI. , A telegram from Auckland suggests the possibility of a railway "cut" in the near future unless the present position of the coal supply improves. A New Plymouth railway official estimates that there is about four weeks' supply of coal in Taranaki for the. service. In conversation with a Daily News reporter last night, he mentioned that another consignment of 3000 tons' from Newcastle .is also due within the next few weeks. The previous consignment received by the Japanese boat was distributed as far down as PalmerstonNorth, which centre is usually supplied" from Wellington. In reply to a question by the reporter, the official stated that if the trouble at the coal mines continued it mo9t certain there would be a reduction in the railway services again.

By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. Owing to the shortage of coal the tramway services will almost certainly have to cease" running on Saturday, while industries and householders are already seriously inconvenienced. The Mayor stated this morning that the City Council's efforts to obtain supplies' of coal from shipments 'arriving to-day had been futile, as he had received the following message from the Prime Minister explaining the Railway Department's inability to accede to the Corporation's *request for a loan of 1000 tons of coal: '"Replying to your telegram, I have made careful inquiries regarding your request for a loan of 1000 ton* of coal from the railways, but regret that the present position of their stocks renders this impracticable. I have madf; further urgent representations, however, to the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth, urging that instructions be given for the immediate release of coal for Vessels awaiting cargoes at Newcastle for New Zealand, and !. will advise you of the position on receipt of a reply. Meantime every possible effort will be made to Secure supplies for the city's activities." A reply was also received by the Mayor from the General Manager of Railways, conveying the inability of the Railway Department to release coal for loan to the city, The head of 1 the department most directly concerned with the fuel position for the Auckland railways suggested the possibility of another railway "cut" in the near future. The Auckland railways are in a position to carry on for some time yet with supplies of coke and Newcastle and Mount Remain coal now available, but it is the general opinion in the yards that unless conditions alter for the better Very quickly, an almost immediate "cut'' will have to be brought into operation to conserve supplies.

THE STRIKE POSITION: WAIKATO TROUBLE UNSETTLED. OTHERS MAY BE INVOLVED. Wellington, Last Night. The executive of the Mincis' Federation sat again all day to-day discussing the strike at the Waikato coal miner,. Mr. J. Arbuckle, secretary of the Federation, stated to a reporter that up to the present he had nothing to report. There are. possibilijties of the coal mines throughout the Dominion becoming involved if the strike at Fukcmiro and jßptowaru is not settled, as Mr. Arbuckle stated a few days ago that the men in the other mines had pledged themselves to stand by the members of the Huntly Unicn. If no agreement is reached soon regarding the dispute in the north, it is feared that the position generally will become serious. '

THE MINERS' HOUSING. Information from an official source is to the effect that at Pukemiro there are 27 houses owned and occupied by the workers. There are 10 houses owned by the company, 17 houses privately owned and rented, three houses in course of erection by the company, and six comfortable "bach" huts, making a total of 89. Twenty-seven per cent of the workers live at Huntly. At Rotowaro there are 15 houses, all occupied. There are 12 houses in course of erection, and nine of them are nearly finished. When the 12 referred to are completed, 12 more are to be erected.

period of not less than three years or more than five years, and shall not be terminated by the apprentice attaining twenty years of age. The indenture is to state the minimum amount of wages to be paid to the apprentice during the first year. The wage paid after the first year is to be the wage usually paid on farms to boys of like age and capacity. The original Bill embodied the penal clauses of the main Act, which were framed', half a century ,or more ago. These clauses provide that an apprentice who offends against the terms of his indenture may be before two Justices of the Peace and sentenced to solitary confinement for a period not exceeding three days. An apprentice who leaves his master during his apprenticeship may bo required to serve the lost time when ho is found. The Minister has omitted these clauses and substituted a new clause providing: (1) That an apprentice guilty of a broach of duty, disobedience, or ill behaviour may be taken before Justices, \vho may reduce his wages by not more than one-half for a period not exceeding two months. (.2) An apprentice who leaves his employment may be arrested, and in addition to a reduction of wage, may' be sent back to his .employer's residence In custody. (3) An apprentice who refuses or neglects to submit to due control may be taken before two Justices, who may order that the indenture may be cancelled and the apprentice sent back to England.