COAL CRISIS ACUTE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2930, 16 November 1916, Page 5

COAL CRISIS ACUTE

• SUPPLIES COMMANDEERED FOR TRANSPORTS , IP MINERS' DEMANDS WERE GRANTED? NO GUARANTEE OF PEACE 'ByTelcsraph-Preas Assooration-Oopyrigdrt Sydney, November 15. The Stats Premier (Mr. Rolman) has agreed to tie passage of a Bill restricting the city 3 5 supply of electric power. . To date forty vessels have been laid ■up in Sydney, and crews numbering 800 paid off. In tie Assembly, although a number of questions were put to Ministers, they declined to state what action was contemplated to terminate the strike. . Mr. D. R. Hall (Minister of Justice) said, that if he believed that the granting of the miners' demands would mean permanent peace he would strongly favour acceding to them, but past history gave no such guarantee. Practically the whole of the Broken Hill mines will close shortly if the coal strike continues. BRISBANE'S GAS COT OFF. Brisbane, November 10. The Gas Company has been forced to cease supplying the public. A serious dislocation is threatened owing to the lack of power for gas engines in factories. It is feared that many military contracts will be brought to a standstill. . All the train services have been reduced 50 per cent. LATEST DEVELOPMENTS LABOUR. COUNCIL'S ULTIMATUM. (Rec. November 15, 10.30 p.m.) Sydney, November 15. The Coal Conference will meet in Melbourne to-morrow. The naval authorities have decided to commandeer the Ferry Companies' stocks, only permitting a very limited servico. The Government also seized al! coke supplies. One thousand men were put off at the Lithgow Small Arms Factory today. All the coal lumpers are now idle, and the Government wheat shins are held up at Newcastle. • The Labour Council has decided to support the miners if State action is not taken. . .