COAL CRISIS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 301, 14 September 1920, Page 5

COAL CRISIS

MINERS' LEADERS' POLICE 6F DRIFT

MANY PITS MAY REFUSE TO

DOWN TOOLS

FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR STRIKE PAY

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (l'ec. September 13, 7.-15 p.m.) London, September 13. The coal situation is still obscure. Tho miners' leaders have adopted an obstinate policy of drift, hoping the Government will make a new offer. Though the miners are loyally handing in their notices to ceaso work, in doing so they manifest ill-will in many 'districts, particularly in Yorkshire, where there is some ground for belief that many pits may refuso to down tools when strike day comes, despite the rccent ballot. If tho Yorkshiremen give a lead the Not' tinghamshire and Derbyshire miners are likely to follow. Though the miners as a whole have strike pay estimated to last three weeks, rnauy districts have very depleted funds, thus 155,000 Yorkshiremen have only ,£IBB,OOO, much of which is invested in mortgages, which are difficult to realise quickly, and in investments which would be seriously depreciated if forced sales.were made.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.

VOTE-BARTERING CHARGES

COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY APPOINTED.

London, September 12,

Mr. Robert Smillie created a sensation at tho Trade Union Congress in following up his allegations of bartering amongst unions of votes for the election of Parliamentary Committees. Challenged by the president, Mr. Smillie made a definite statement, and a Vote Buying Committee was appointed at his suggestion to inquire into the allegations.—Reuter.

DOCK-HANDS DISCHARGED

REFUSE TO WORK 18-HOUR WEEK. (Rec. September 13, 9.10 p.m.)

Sydney, September 13. Tho boilermakers, engineers, and stovemakers at Mort's Dock and' Garden Island refused to work a -IS-hours' week, and wore informed that their services were not wanted. It is estimated that two thousand ironworkers are unemployed—Press Assn. LOURENCO MARQUEZ STRIKE AUTHORITIES REFUSE TO RELEASE LEADERS. Cape Town, September 12. 1 Owing to the refusal of the authorities to releaso the arrested leaders of the railway strike at lourenco Marqtiez, 250 railwaymen surrendered and asked to be imprisoned. All were court-mnr-tialled and imprisoned.—Aus.-N.Z. • Cable Assn. strikeslnmadras COLLISION WITH POLICE. Simla, September 11. . Continuous strikes in Madras aro causing serious trouble. A body of strikers attempting to prevent others resuming work at the Burma Oil Company's works came into collision with the police, who fired volleys and dispersed the strikers. Several were arrested.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn,