SOME EFFECTS OF THE STOPPAGE

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 174, 17 April 1919, Page 8

SOME EFFECTS OF THE STOPPAGE

LOCAL COAL SUPPLIES. The proposed decision of the Minister of I'ublic Health (Hon. G. W. Russell) to close, down altogether on ships from Australian ports is creating consternation in maiiv quarters. A message from Auckland .-.lutes that one effect would bo that the Gas Company there would have to cease operations. Inquiry was made yesterday as to Hie position of the Wellinston. Gas Company, which also uses a large proportion of Newcastle coal for pns making. As luck would have it, the company secured a cargo of coal by the Orii-sn. which arrived here -from Newcastle Inst week, and is still discharging tit the Railway Wharf. ' Of her cargo of 7400 toris, 1000 tons were sold to local dealers, and the remainder will be discharged at Aliramar next week. Tho company, too, has been able to help the Wansailui Gas Company (municipal) out of a hole. The timely arrival of the ,<)ri«ai makes the Gag Company secure for supplies for a couple of months to come.

The stoppage of the boats—if the closure is applied to the whole of the intercolonial service—will also seriously affect the railways, which depend in a measuro en supplies of Newcastle coal to keep going. That is to say that at the present, and for some time past, the New Zealand mines are :iot producing, sufficient coal for our own needs, and for years past the gas companies and railwavs have depended on Newcastle sup plies. , THE KADrTaND KARABU MAY BE-WORKED ON SATURDAY. The Waterside Workers' Union has notified the Union Steam Ship Company, whoso vessels, Kauri and Karamu, vera yesterday again idle, that they will not work on them until, four clear days have elapsed after the time of the'removal from the ships of the men suffering rith influenza. The time stated wjll expiro to-morrow night, and if there are no further cases of illness of the same description in these vessels the men will handle the cargo on Saturday. The two men—an engineer and a cookare now convalescing. It is etated that from the first the cases were mild ones. ': A waterside worker was yesterday found to be affected with ordinary influenza, and the usual precautions were taken. VESSELS FRoFINFECTED PORTS SEVEN DAYS' QUARANTINE ASKED for. At a meeting of the Wellington- Labour Representation Committee held last night in the Trades Hall, the question of the iecrudescence of tho influenza epidemio was discussed. After hearing evidence from the Seamen's Union delegate the follow--1115 resolution was passed: "That in view of the spread of the influenza epidemio tho Wellington Labour Representation Committee calls upon the Government to stop all ships coming from infected porta, ! and that all boats arriving jn the immediate future be quarantined in New Zealand waters for seven days after arrival." OHRISTCHURCH BUSINESS PEOPLE PERTURBED. By Telegraph—Press Association. / Christchurch, April 16. Business and commercial' communities aro gravely disturbed regarding the announcemeiit of the .prohibition of shipping from Australia. It is contended that the prohibition might properly be applied to passenger traffic, but most serious results will ensue if extended to cargo carriers and colliers. The coal supplies in Canterbury are very low, •mid without Australian.shipments there is a strong probability that industries mav have to close down in three or four weeks. Opinion favours rigid quarantine rather than prohibition. ■ The Canterbury Chamber of Commerce and kindred bodies telegraphed to the Hon. G. W. Russell protesting that the restrictions imposed on Australian shipping were unduly severe, and asking if cargo could not be handled. Mr. Russell replied: "Tho position.'re quarantine is that, vessels leaving Australia, for New Zealand with passengers on board will .be indefinitely quarantined, and the passengers will not be allowd to land. In the case of cargo vessels they will be considered on their merits on arrival in New Zealand. It was never intended that trade between Australia and New .Zealand should be suspended."

NIAGARA BEING DISCHARGED. P.y Tclesraph—Prei" Afwociat'on. Auckland, April 1(1. The waterside workers aru discharging the Niagara. FOUR DAYS' CLOSURE ON BUSINESS (Rec. April IC. 9.50 p.m.) Sydney, April 1(!. The Government has decided to close tha shops from Thursday night until Tuesday. It is hoped that this general cessation of business for four days will recuce the epidemic. The Medical Council has issued a warning against panic. It admits the seriousness of the position, hut considers that ■the mortality rate is not extraordinary. One thousand eight ■■ hundred and l'liy cases were admitted to the Sydney hospitals between February 1 and April 5, the deaths totalling 281, but it is pointed out only the most serious cases were sent into hospital. Probably for every srcli case from ten to twenty less severe attacks wero treated outside.—Press Assn.