WELLINGTON TOPICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 April 1917, Page 4

WELLINGTON TOPICS.

The Coal Strike. Cause aud Effect. (Our Special Correspondent.) Wellington, April 20 . The Government is taking particular care the public shall understand the relation between the coal-miners’ strike and the lessening of travelling facilities. Its advertisements udnounoing the reduction of railway services are headed “ Coal Miners’ Strike ” and the Minister Jets all enquirers know that even the attenuated time-table to come into force on Monday cannot be maintained unless the m9n resume work within the next week'or two. That the Government is not merely bluffing the pnblic in order to secure its sympathy m the present trouble is shown by the fact that publio bodies, manufacturing concerns and numbers of private firms dependent upon regular supplies of fuel are catting down their operations and preparing as. bast they can to withstand a coal famine.

THE EFFECT ON SPORT At the moment it looks as if the reduction of railway services would have a much more far-reaching effect upon raoing than was at first expected. If the ordinary facilities are not quickly resumed probably many of the winter fixtures will have to be abandoned.

Yesterday the special arrangements made for the Manawatu Racing Club’s meeting to be held at Palmerston North on Wednesday and Thursday of next week, whioh were regarded as a final burst of railway extravagance, bo to speak, were oancelled, and the Minister even refused to carry horses to keep their engagements there. It is hoped, however, that Mr Herries may yet be induced to modify his determination and that the Manawatu Club, which has the whole of its profits to patriotic purposes since the'beginning of the war, will be saved from the threatened financial 1088.

LOCAL MEASURES, The General Manager of the Wellington City Oonneil’s Tramways and Electric Lighting Departments has prepared snggestions for reducing the consummation of coal on looal services whioh will awaken citizens of all degrees to the gravity of the position. They inolnde the rcduetion of tram services, the cessation of work in offices and warehous?s at 4.30 p.m., and in shops at 5.30 p.m., the prohibition of all external illuminating and advertising Bigns till 7 p.m., and the closing of the picture shows between 4.30 p.m. and 7 p.m.

This would mean, among other things, the adoption of a large instalment of the daylight saving 6chems, and, of Bourse, a good deal of real in-

convenience till tbe pub iogiew accustomed to the new order of things ; but if the strike should be prolonged for three or four monthß even more drastic measures wonld be required and the popular feeliog is in favonr of beginning the economies at once. THE GOVERNMENT CRITICISED. It is scarcely necessary to say the National Government is being very candidly and very strongly criticised in connection with the difficulties that have arisen* First of ail Mr Massey and Sir Joseph Ward are being blamed for stopping away from the country at such a time. The political opponents of two years ago are joining forces to-day in denouncing the party leaders for “frittering away their time in London ” when they ought to b 9 here“ attending to.tbß crying needs of tbe Dom'nion,”

Then their colleagues who are filling their places are being blamed for their handling of the labour trouble and for their sadden and clnmsy introduction of economies which should bave been instituted two years ago, All this may be very unreasonable, as it certainly is opportune, bat the dissatisfaction is not confined to disgruntled .politicians nor to the perennial faultfinders. It is significant of the temper of the community.