WHAT CONCERNS EVERYBODY

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 311, 25 September 1920, Page 7

WHAT CONCERNS EVERYBODY

, THE SHORTAGE OF COAL

THE CURSE OF STRIKES, STRIKES, STRIKES!

(Contributed by the Welfare Leaguo.)

day ive hear people complain How long is this accujsed shortage of coal going to continue?" We are,asked "What is the Government going to do about it?". No wonder the peoplo are bitterly annoyed. It has been going on for such a length of time. We bavo suffered the railway cut, stoppage, of trams, reduction of gas supply, shortage of cement, and other building materials, and works having to close down or limit their, operations—all because of shortage of coal, s

"Go Slow" and tho Conference. First, we had months of tho "go slow" business, the meanest and most dastardly kind of strike known. This cost the Dominion many thousands, and loss entailed on the. peoplo individually and collectively. In February of this year the Coal Disputes Conference sat for nine days, with tho Prime Minister prefeitlins:. * An agreement was made, and tho people of New Zealand wero promised that tho "go.slow" restriction of output. Ivould cease. If the people were lied to they have a right to be angry. For ft brief spell it seemed as if the mines were going to bo worked regularly, and the output maintained, and then came the old gamo over again.

Strikes Against the Public. ' We have witnessed tho occurrence of short irritation strikes, one off and another- on, for several' months. There have been stoppages at the Blackball mine, tit the. State mine, at Huntly, Pukemiro, Rotowaro, and at Taupiri, There were threats of a general stoppage on account of minor troubles at Taratu, Green Island, 'Mataura, and Gore, nlthough, by reasoning, Sir. Hally, Commissioner, ' was able to effect an agreement. One strike is over the payment of-a levy to Broken Hill by some Workmen,. another is on account of the railway fares charged, another is said to be in support of conscientious objectors. .What we wish to emphasise .is •that any difference of opinion is seemingly quite enough to start 'a striko 011. 'Ihe "go slow" practice was resumed at three mines because of difference, of. Opinion respecting tho application of tho igreement, as if that could not he reasontd out whilst work wont on. These conitant strikes of irritation have one definite meaning, they hit the public all the time. But we were informed by a miner recently that tho men behind them say, "Damn tlie public!" which no doubt the public will like.-

Policy of Curtailing Supplies. We have observed for eomo time past that whenever the Government .has arranged for an increased supply of coal by importing, there, have very shortly followed stoppages, or reduction of.output at one or more of the' local mines. This lias occurred so often that we are forced to 1 believe that it not come about by accident, nor is it "a matter of mero coincidence. Prom 'a careful study of the matter we are convinced that tho miners of this country, or some of theni;. are being used as tools to carry out the treacherous designs of starving the industries and people of New Zealand of coal. It is : reasonably evident that ,the Revolutionists have entered upon 'the deliberate policy of limiting output, curtails ing stocks, and reducing supplies to the consumers. - Whether they are miners or. other persons who are, directing, this campaign of contemptible exploitation, they are traitors to the Dominion and the people who inhabit it. - They hold New Zealand's economic life' by the throat and. are saying in. effect, like a common footpad, "Give us all you have or we will throttle you and your industries." Does' New Zealand exist for the' miners or'the miners for-New Zealand?That is 'tho question to be settled soon, and finally. How the People Suffer. In a hundred different ways the people are feeling the pinch of low coal supply. Three days in Wellington meant trams stopped,- gas and power limited, corporation expenditure increased by thousands of pounds, wages of employees off work lost, old'peoplo confined to bed.for want of firing, infirm and invalid people suffering. Auckland city is on the verge of a general stoppage of trams and other ' services on account of "110 coal." Jlasterton is in tho throes of serious trouble in the same way. Cement canno.t be got, building' materials short, transport delayed, prices made higher and the burden of living made ever harder by shortening of coal supply, since it affects all '/ital industries. The workers in town and country pay, pay, and go short. What do you think of those who say i/'damn the public"? Questions Requiring Attention. To Mr. Massey, his colleagues, and tho members, of 'both Houses we put these questions. without notice:— (1) Why should the mass of the people have to suffer thus at tho hand 9 of an irresponsible minority? (2) Why are not both mine owners and miners' organisations made fully responsible for the acts of their members, seeing that these acts are causing the public, much loss and suffering? (3) Is the Government and elected representatives of the people or a section of self-constituted rulers going to direct industrial affairs within the -Dominion? To sum the matter up: We contend that'the time has como when the Government should 6ay plainly, and make good ; what they do say, that the restricting of coal output and. supply must cease, and that vicious acts in restraint of < this vital industry will bo made penal offences. All the parties directly concerned should be definitely informed that unless the mines are going to be voluntarily worked in a constant, regular manner, so as to ensure a proper output, tho Government will enlist the support of all loyal citizens and take drastic steps to ensure tho results required to. meet' the needs of the people. • Sir. Massey has indicated that it will. - be necessary to take 6ome strong action if things do not change, and if it is definite, firm, and in the general interest, he can be assured that all true citizens, without consideration of politics, will be with the Government.

The test seems .inevitable—the State or a scction? -

We would prefer to see the section learn sense in time, for the issue must be settled soon,, and the State must win.