COAL CRISIS.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 15863, 7 July 1919, Page 7

COAL CRISIS.

CARRIAGE OF GOODS. ESSENTIALS ONLY SHOULD BE TAKEN, At the public meeting on Saturday night the present restricted railway service was discussed, and a motion was passed urging that only goods essential for the food of the people and for the carrying on of industries should be earned. Tme matter was instroduccd by Or. R. W, Green. He said that whoever was to blame, or whatever was the cause which led up to the shortage of coal, the people were not in a position to judge. All that could he done at present was to impress upon the Government that the sooner it brought the crisis to an end tho better it would be for all concerned. It was obvious that if the restricted service continued for any length of time, onethird to half of the community would be out of work. One heard nowadays a lot about the high cost of living, but how could an ordinary workingman provide for his family on half-pay? The restricted service affected Wanganui more than it did some other centres, for a good deal of its supplies were brought in by rail. The timber trade for instance. There was hardly a trade or calling which was not affected by the disorganisation of this industry. If it wore necessary to have a restricted service, it should he seen that nothing but goods which were absolutely essential should be carried, goods which were required to keep the industries going. A Yoiee: More important than beer. Cr. Green; Much more important. He moved; “That this meeting views with alarm the present condition of the railway service and calls upon the Government to do its utmost to bring the crisis to an end, and in the meantime that goods which were most essential for tho food of tho people and the carrying on of the industries should be carried first.” The motion was seconded. The Mayor said that while he was in Wellington a few days ago, he formed one of a deputation which interviewed the new General Manager, Mr McYilley, on the restrictions. He very reluctantly had to say “No” to everybody. Dannevirke, which was being practically re-built, and which required large quantities of cement, had to be- turned down. Grey town, which was on a side line throe miles in length, asked for two trains per week to bring food for the people and coal for the gasworks, but even this could not be granted. This showed how serious the position was. The shortage showed the necessity for pushing on with tho Mangahao hydroelectric works as quickly as possible, and he hoped the Minister would not forget this lesson. He trusted that the Government and those interested, employers and employees alike, would meet in a spirit of co-operation and conciliation,'with the desire to do the best they could for tho good of all. If they recognised their responsibility to society, the crisis would soon he over, never to occur again.

WHAT WAS THE REASON. Mr Anderson remarked that it would bo interesting to all if they were enlightened as to the reason for the serious position of affairs. Everybody was apt to blame the Government for the shortage, but it was a moral certainty that the railways would not close down for the sake of closing. The- people should know what the cause was, and it was only -fair to the Government and the people that they should be told who was at fault. Mr Davies said the reason was the shortage of coal, and if the Department had no coal no number of resolutions could make it improve the services. Somebody was to blame, perhaps not during the last two or three years, but certainly during the past four or five. The miners were not to blame. They were doing better work than they ever did before the war, a smaller number of men turning out more coal. The Government should explain th real position. The motion was put and carried unanimously.

LOCAL LABOUR PARTY’S PROTEST. The secretary of the local branch of the N.Z. Labour Party has despatched the following letter to the Hon. the Minister of Railways:—“ Dear Sir, — Mire to hand. Me believe with you that the cut in the service was not brought in till the last moment, but we entirely disagree with tho Government, whose policy of procrastination is directly responsible for the conditions prevailing to-day. While thanking you for your speedy reply, we condemn same as being evasive, nothing having been noted regarding preference given to beer, wine, and spirits over carriage of building material. This branch unanimously condemns the action of your Department in withdrawing restrictions from luxuries, while maintainig a rigid strangle-hold on one of onr principal industries and th© workers thereof.—G. Miller,”