THE COAL TROUBLE

Hokitika Guardian, 30 September 1926, Page 3

THE COAL TROUBLE

[Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.] MINERS BREAKING AWAY. (Received this day at 11 0 a.m.j > LONDON. September 20. To-day was the worst day for the ljjners since the strike began. There are now 149,223 employed in coal pro- ,, timing at the pitts, an* increase of 11,745 for the day. Breakaways have also commenced at Rhondda Valley, where before the strike one hundred thousand were employed. The leaders are making frantic efforts to counter the movement, urging the men to wait the result of the district delegates’ conference which opened to-day at London The drift back to work is regarded r 'as most serious, many delegates expressing tbe opinion tlmt if a settlement is much longer delayed, there will be no* jobs for tbe remaining strikers to fill. Moreover, every ten thousand returning makes the coal owners less inclined to meet the federation. This viewpoint dominated the whole discussion regarding the Government’s offer of an appeal to a tribunal. There is a general Feeling that the districts should he consulted, nevertheless there is a marked difference of opinion regarding wliat advice should be tendered to the districts ro- , garding the offer. The matter wa t s finally adjourned till to-morrow. ’I he debate showed the responsible leaders were heartily sick of the struggle, and few now favour a fight to a finish. A quaint sidelight on the coal dispute is that ordinarily Ist October is fixed as lighting day for fires in the Government offices, but instructions today were given not to light unless the temperature was below fifty-eight. Each fireplace will then he rationed with ten pounds of coal daily.

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