THE COAL TROUBLE.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 July 1919, Page 2

THE COAL TROUBLE.

fAUSTRALIAN it N. 7.. CABLE ASSOCIATION’!

NAVAL MEN ENTER MINES: LONDON, July 20,

Tt is officially stated at Leeds, six pits are flooded, and five others are in danger of flooding during the next twelve hours.

The strikers drew the boiler fires at seyen other pits. There is some danger through the withdrawal of engineers from a number of collieries.

It is understood that no less than four, divisions of troops are now arriving in the strike area.

EFFECT OF STRIKES. LONDON, July 22. The coal trouble has depressed the Stock Exchange. Consols are at 51$. Notices have been issued in Lancashire and Nottinghamshire, warning coal users that it' will he necessary to curtail coal supplies, and the electricity gas, water, and railway services. A number of large works have closed.

ATTITUDE OF MINERS. LONDON, July 22. The Miners’ Federation for the present hold aloof from the Yorkshire dispute. The Welsh miners’ conference decided to continue work meantime, until the Government, and the Miners Federation negotiate and agree upon new satisfactory piece rates. . The Triple Labour Alliance meets at London to-day. There also will be a separate conference of the Coal Miners Delegates to frame a reply to the Government’s statements as to the rise of 6s a ton. The Premier and Mr Bonar Law will meet the Miners’ Executive to-morrow.

STRIKE ASPECTS. (Received This Bay at 8 a.m.) LONDON, July 23. A serious aspect of the strike is the danger of explosions and fh' es in le dry mines in the stopping of ventillating machinery. Most of the managers are endeavouring to pump and ventilate, without naval assistance, using volunteers and amateurs.