THE COAL SITUATION

Hokitika Guardian, 24 September 1920, Page 2

THE COAL SITUATION

ACTION BY GOVERNMENT

'AUSTRALIAN & N.Z. CAIIMJ ASSOCIATION

WELLINGTON, September 23

No new development, so far a« the Government is concerned, yesterday occurred ini connection with the coal miners’ dispute in the Waikato. Mr P. Hally lias not yet been able to go north. The position on the Coast is understood to be promising better than for the past few day's, though the men at the State Mines are still idle. In the absence of Mr Hally, the Prime Minister ha« requested the Conciliator Commissioner at Auckland to go to Huntly and endeavour to bring the parties together.

AUCKLAND LACKS COAL. AUCKLAND, September 22

Owing to the shortage of coal, the tramway services will almost certainly have to cease running on Saturday, while industries and householders are already seriously inconvenienced. The Mayor stated this morning that the City Counlcil’s efforts to obtain supplies of coal from shipments arriving to-day' have been futile, as lie had received the following message from the Prime Minister explaining the Railway Department’s inability to accede to the Corporation’s request for a loan of 1000 tons of coal:—“Replying to your telegram, have made careful enquiries regarding your request for loan of 1000 tons of coal from railways, but regret that present position of their stocks renders this impracticable. 1 - have made further urgent representations, however to the Priin'e Minister of the Commonwealth, urging that instructions be given for the immediate release of coal for vessels q,waiting cargoes at New castle for New Zealand, and will advise you of position on receipt of reoly. Meantime every possible effort will be made to secure supplies for the city’s activities.”

The head of the Department most directly concerned with the fuel position for the Auckland railways suggested the possibility of another railway “cut” in the near future. The Auckland railways are in a position to carry on for some time y r et with the supplies of coke and Newcastle and Mioiiiiit Kembla. coal now available, but it is the general opinion in the yards that unless the conditions alter for the better very soon, an almost immediate “cut” will have to be brought into operation to conserve supplies.

NO SETTLEMENT REACHED LONDON, Sept. 22. The Triple Alliance, (Seamen, Mininers? and Transporters’ Unions) deputation had three .and half hours’ conference with Mr Lloyd George in the hope of composing the coal dispute. Nothing was settled, but apparently the proceedings were riot abortive, as the deputation has arranged to report to their Congress to-morrow. The feeling of the latter will most probably' influence the deputation at a later meeting, which is likely to be arranged with Mr L}pyd Gpqrge.

RAILWAYMEN MAY STRIKE. LONDON, Sept. 22. It had been at first assumed that the railwavmen would be reluctant to strike in support of the miners, but Mr Bromley (the Secretary of the Engine Drivers, and Firemen's Union), argues otherwise. He says that as the railways cannot be ran long without coal it is thus better for the railwlayme to strike.with the miners and so hasten the end, instead of expending the Union’s funds in “out. of work” pay during a long struggle.