RAILWAY TROUBLES.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 September 1920, Page 4

RAILWAY TROUBLES.

The possibility of another disorganisation of the railway services will create very widespread anxiety. The causes that threaten to once more dislocate industrial, commercial and all other activities are the shortage of coal and the attitude of the traffic branch of the railway service. According to a recent Press message from Auckland it is considered that unless conditions with regard 'to coal supplies alter for the better very quickly, an' almost immediate "cut" will have to be brought into operation in order to conserve supplies. At present the public is being put to considerable inconvenience. The railways necessarily take possession of the greater portion, of the available coal. There is a very large increase in price—practically at the .rate of over £5 a ton at present for what is offering, though householders do not mind paying even that high price if only they can obtain enough 'to meet' their needs. That, however, is a minor matter compared with industrial needs, more particularly in connection with transport. Without doubt this coal 'trouble is extremely serious. Apparently the only practical course is to make the .import of coal a matter that must take precedence over all others, and to obtain for the purpose as many vessels as possible, irrespective of what the freight may be. It is to be hoped that the pressure which Mr. Mas; sey is now exercising on the Australian authorities to relieve the critical position in the Dominion will be successful, and that every likely source of supply will be exploited. The position with regard to the locomotive branch of the railway service is quite another matter. The new demand for a forty-four hours week is one that is hardly likely to be conceded, inasmuch as to grant it would mean that it would have to be extended to all Government departments and all industries.- It would seem that the time has arrived when it is imperative to take a firm stand in labor matters so as to ensure a return to sanity. Conciliation and compromise have failed to produce industrial peace, and it is now for the Government to formulate a policy and prepare for a conflict that will end a position that is rapidly becoming intolerable. Better face the trouble at once than have all the uncertainty and \ pinpricking that is now so conspicuous a feature of industry, particularly coalmining.