STRIKING MINERS SUFFEER

Chronicle (Levin), 5 July 1948, Page 3

STRIKING MINERS SUFFEER

GREYMOUTH, July 3. Houscholdcrs are now bogi'nning to feel Ihe rcKults of tlie strike at the Strongmuu aud Liverpool mines in an acute shortage of domestic coal. Ooal dealers have sold out and nothing is eoming forward. Dealers in the Hokitika, Kumara and Otira distriets are similarly alfected. All deaiers are endeavouring to obtain suppiies of other classes of coal in au efTort to meet the demand, but good substitutes for Strongman coal for household purposes are not availabio from the State. The Greymouth Jnuni eipal gasworks have not so far been seriously alfected by the strike although. Ihe works dcpeud to a great exteut on Liverpool coal. The gas department has made other arrangemonts for suppiies, including a proportion of Wallsend coal, and at the weekend the works will have about two weeks' supply ot coal in stock. No serious difliculty is expeete.d in meeting the demand for gas uniess the strike spreads to other mines. The miners 'who are on strike ari: without coal in tlieir own homes. TIhnights are bitterly cold and the situation in a uumber of homes is acute. They are devoid of a commodity ■which lies in huge quantities virtually beneath thein. Wood is being used as a substitute, but the miners are so nsed to plentiful suppiies of free coal that they are not taking kindly to the extra expense and less cheerful llres. Children are being sent 1o seareh the railway line in the hope of finding coal dropped by passiug trains.