SUPPORTING THE GOVERNMENT

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3060, 23 April 1917, Page 6

SUPPORTING THE GOVERNMENT

VARIOUS' RESOLUTIONS. | By Telegraph.—Press Association. Carterton, April 21. A well-attended'and thoroughly representative meeting in the Town Hall, Greytown, last night, passed a resolution urging upon wie ijinisterof ilailto cut off the town altogether from railway communication. The following resolution was also carried unanimously: "That this meeting desires to express its warmest sympathy with tho Government in the present crisis.caused by the strike of coal miners, and pledges itself to support every effort made to bring it to a speedy end." : •. . ■■ The principal speakers were the Mayor and' Mr. J. T. M. Hornsby, M.l\ ■ ■ \ When the motion was passed the meeting rose and sang the National Anthem. ' •

UUIIBUIII, Apill A meeting of citizens to-day resolved 'to ask the Government to reconsider tho train services in view, of the fact that it may be possible, so far as Otago and Southland are concerned, to carry on with coal from the local mines. It was resolved further that tho Government be urged to endeavour by all means in its power to end the disastrous strike of the West Coast which is inflicting such serious injury ■upon the whole of-the : loyal community; the meeting assure the Government that in any action it may take it will have the support of the citizens of- Dunedin. There was only one dissentient, who apparently feared that any relief from tho general pressure put on the Government might embarrass the Government's strategy. The meeting was thoroughly representative. Hawera, April 21. ■ A conference of the Tarauaki trustees under the Efficiency Board yesterday unanimously passed a resolution expressing their sympathy and_ willingness to heartily co-operate with the National Government in its endeavour to carry out the Military Service Act, and to assist it in securing tho. men needed for the Reinforcements till the end of the war. A 'similar resolution was adopted by the Chamber of Commerce.

• Core, April 21. A largely attended! meeting, called by the Mayor,' passed, a resolution con- : derailing the coal miners' attitude, and upholding the Government in any steps it takes to end the strike. '. Wanganui, April 22. A big public meeting was held on Saturday niglit to discuss the coal crisis, and a resolution was passed appealing to all classes of. the community, particularly organised labour, to make '"National "Unity" the watchword until the enemies of civilisation have been subdued. 'Hie resolution was also read before a big audience at the returned soldiers' patriotic entertainment, and carried with enthusiasm. , STRIKERS' AND THEIR CIVIL RIGHTS. . ■ ■ v ■ By Tolcsrayh—Press Association. Palmerston North, April 22. : At the annual meeting of the Palmerston North branch of the Farmers' Union, the t following resolution was carried unanimously:—, , 'That this branch of the Farmers' Union strongly objects to the attitude of the miners iii the coal strike, and offers its support to tho Government in any emergency, and suggests that all strikers should he deprived of tlteir civilian rights." ■ . FORGING OTHER WORKERS INTO UNEMPLOYMENT. By Telwapti—Special Correspondent. Wanganui, April 21. The strike has considerably aroused the public along the west coast, and there is determination on all sides to the National Government in the crisis. At New Plymouth the largest and most enthusiastic mass meeting ever held in the district took place last night, and it was unanimously resolved: "That this mass meeting of workers of New Plymouth urge upon the National Government the urgent necessity of nationalisation of the coal industry of New Zealand, as by doing this it will show to the workers that at least one honest attempt has been made to win the war."

Coal stocks'along the coast aro very low, and quite a number of industries will have to close down if the strike continues. Merchants are being rushed with orders, but are unable to supply anything like the demand that exists. At last night's meeting of the Wangamii Harbour Board, the engineer reported that the board was running very short of coal. They had only three weeks' supply, and unless the trouble soon ended it would he necessary to suspend operations. It was deckled that efforts be made to borrow supplies from the Borough Council and •freezing works. The cutting off of the trains for Taranaki and the Main Trunk, with the exception of three days per week, is going to dislocate trade to a very serious extent, and the attitude of one section of workers driving another .section into ;i state of 'unemployment, has caused bitter feeling throughout lice country.