COAL FOR N.Z.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 October 1919, Page 2

COAL FOR N.Z.

AUSTRALIAN MINERS ATTITUDE. COAL OWNERS REPLY.' I AUSTRALIAN & N.2. CABLE ASSOCIATION) (Received This Day at 8 a.m.) SYDNEY, October 22. The Secretary of the Coal Miners Federation wrote to Mr Hughes and to the owners’ representatives drawing attention to the unrest developing in the northern fields, owing to the increasing export of coal to New Zealand, which it was alleged the New Zealand corfl owners were using to defeat the miners who ar© endeavouring to obtain increased wages and better conditions. Therefore the members of the Australian Federation are not prepared to produce coal for that purpose. He urged colliery proprietors to cease shipping coal to New Zealand until the dispute was settled, faling which there was a danger of local miners ceasing work.

The owners replied that it was impossible for them to accede to tlie request. In fact they hoped that the New Zealand demand for Australain coal would increase, as a long time must ensue before the "'collieries reach the standard of pre-war export trade. Moreover New Zealand was also importing American coal and the stoppage of supnlies from Australia would handicap the local industry and benefit Americans.

A special meeing of the Federation has been called to discuss the matter.