COAL STRIKE

Hokitika Guardian, 6 December 1921, Page 2

COAL STRIKE

[nv TELEGRAPH —PUB PRESS ASSOCIATION I SOUTHLAND MEN OFT. INVERCARGILL, Dec. o. The miners at the Nightcaps, Ctytlilale, New Brighton, Dixons, and Mosshank Mines all ceased work this morning. They stopped without warning. The Southland coal mine owners state with regard to their coming out to-day. that they do not anticipate a long strike. WESTPORT, l)e«. o The miners at all the local mines decided by a substantial majority to continue working. AUCKLAND MINERS DECIDE W RESUME. AUCKLAND. Dev. o

1 uiportant developmcntls in connection with tlie strike have occurred »t the mines in the Auckland Province. Tiie most notable incident was the decision of the men at the Tanpiri Coal Company's Itotowaro mine, who joined the strike last Friday, to go hack W> work to-morrow.

This decision was reached its the result of two meetings—one at llotowaro, this morning, and the other at 11 ititt.lv in the afternoon.

At each place the voting showed a la rue majority in favour of the resumption of work.

At Itotowaro, the ('mures, it is stated, were -10 to -I : while the combined voting disclosed a three to one majority for work. /

The men at the Tanpiri Kxtended Mine did not cease work. I hey decided on .Sunday, by ISO votes to (i’2, not to strike at present.

The Pukomiro miners, who stopped work last week, are holding another meeting this evening. It is stated that there are grounds for believing that the men will fallow the lead given by the Tanpiri employees.

The lliktiiangi Coal Company's mine and Wilson’s Portland Cemeut (Company's mine at lliktiiangi were idle to-day. It is reporteil that the men held meetings on Sunday when they decided to cease work. AUCKLAND COAI. SUPPLY. At’CK LAND. Dec. o Itcgardiug the coal position, the Auckland coal merchants nnd lao*> consumers c»t coal report that they have sullicient stocks in hand to disjrcl any uneasiness as to the immediate future. The Railway Department. cuts ot tiie worst sufferers in the last strike

worrying not at till about the laining trouble. -We have I'd months supplies in luind, and on the way, said a prominent otlicer ol the tlepnrtnient, ■‘including large stocks ot Welsh coal already in reserve, and another eight thousand tons due to arrive i» a few days, so that there is not likely to bo anv serious coal shortage so tar as the railways are concerned.

The (las Company has been able to build tip a moderately large coal rose ivo since supplies became more plentiful. and additional Newcastle and Westport stocks sire on the wav. Supplies in hand were to-day stated to he .sullicient to see Auckland safely over the holidays. Said one of the city’s leading coal merchants,: —“lie have plenty of house coal to sell, and I think householders are also well supplied. We also have ample stocks of firewood, so that 1 don’t think people will have very much to worry about with regard to the present strike.”