The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, JANUARY 18, 1930. THE COAL CRISES.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 January 1930, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, JANUARY 18, 1930. THE COAL CRISES.

The situation in Now -South Wales continues to be a matter lor daily (ontel i’i even it one is not directly connected with the State. It is not in keeping with British traditions to find k>w and order delied openly for so long, and under the circumstances which have transpired in Australia. It has to he remembered that the crux of the difficulty was settled aetually by the miners’ delegates, so that anr subsequent- dispute is in reality a lepudiation of that settlement. The miners’ representatives were moved to accept an adjustment which met with satisfaction all round, but the miners’ lodges rejected the terms later. Since then matters have gone from bad to worse in open defiance of law and order. The miners will not work tnemselves, nor will they allow others willing to work to, do so. Something of n reign of terror pervades the coal mining districts, and the Government Ims had to invoke the force at its command to suppress the defiant infn'is, and afford at least a measure of protection to those who are prepared to work. AN hen the shooting oceiiriod at the Bolhbiiry mine it was hopVJ I that regrettable incident would open the eye's of the miners to where their folly was leading them. But they are still in a very delimit mood, and if they could would organise in a most definite militant manner to resist the civil authority. The New South Wales Government is firm in its resolve to resist the miners’ excesses, and maintain authority lor the uuhlic benefit. According to Air I*]-. S. Marks, n member ot the 'Stale Parliament now on holiday in New Zealand, “the Premier, Mr 'I. K. Bavin, is determined to re-establish the coal industry on a sound economic basis, hut lie is faced with many diffieultios. The great increase in the cost of production is at the root, of all tin* trouble, and coupled with the increased costs thereNms . been a reduction in the demand owing In the growth in the 1 use of oil fuel. , In l!i-o the total output from New j South Wales mines was 0,(100,000 tons. ,

and by 1928 this dropped to 6,0.10,000 tons. The price or coal in 1916 was L2s a ton, and in 1927 it was £1 6s. From being the cheapest in the world .6 years ago, Australian coal ha,s now eeome the dearest. The smaller demand is most serious. If the mines

were reopened to-morrow on tne conditions demanded by the miners there would net be sufficient work offering to keei) them open more than intermittently. I visited Newcastle recently and estimated that there are between -1.000 and 5001} more men than the industry can absorb. 'The industry must he i('organised. Even under the proposed reduction the miners would earn from £1 8s 9d to £1 16s 9d a day.” From this it will he seen that there is warranty enough for the Government to place the industry on a proper basis. The hope and effort is to reduce the cost of the coal some os per ton, thereby stimulating industry generally, and also creating a greater demand for the commodity. Actually, Air Gavin is the best friend of the coal-miner, hut mis-led and misguided the miner refuses to agree to an amicable adjustment of rates whereby the general situation could he sav ed. It is remarkable how ready some ure to fan the fury of the miners. Fortunately, the Sydney press is at least outspoken and is backing the Government in the upholding of constitutional authority. The latest clashes be-twr-’i the miners and the police are more hopeful, in that a moderate body of police are able to hold in cheek the miners’ considerable numbers. It is difficult to understand the psychology of the situation. The miners are losing heavily by the strike. They must realise their attitude is having a ruining effect on their country. Having reached a dead end, the ordinary humun mind to settle affairs amicably would he prepared to accent a reasonable compromise. That was forthcoming at toe time of Conference when tlm Federal and State Parliaments united in an earnest effort to solve the problem. In U, e ordinary course, it might he expected the desire lor a fair adjustment would he welcomed on all sides. Yet. so far as the miners were concerned, that is not so They decline any settlement at •til satisfactory to the Government, and the mine owners, and refuse to allow any others to work. This resistance and open defiance is the negation of public security and private, ownership. I he attitude strikes at the inundation oi the civil life, for the miners are now defying the authority of those responsible for the safety and security of the people. Afore clashes, unfortunately, seem inevitable, and the end is not _\et, but it* will be a sad reflection on the future of democracy if htw and order are not wholly triumphant in the end

industries, are the chief factors retarding the happiest issue from the unemployment problem Air Davy asks for a prompt and complete change in the conduct of Party affair's.” As Chairman of the main organisation, lie could best achieve that by discussing flic matter in committee. His action as far as it has gone, defeats bis own purpose—if there is anything worth adopting in it. A party must be led, and the leader must be given latitude. -\o self-respecting, leader would submit to be ■dragooned by Mr Davy or anyone else. A leader is elected because of liis personal merits and the confidence bis supporters have in him. Oncp the confidence is gained,' the leader is relied on to do wlmt is considered right and proper, and any objection to his actions should be brought forward by those concerned in the proper plu e- which is not the public press, Sir Joseph Ward came back to office when there was no one else to seriously challenge li is leadership, tie has discharged the duties' of his high office with credit to himself and the country, and lie lias the public confidence. If Unit were not so Reform and Labour would have united long ago to turn out the Alinistrv and precipitate it general election. But they are not taking the risks involved.

The Westland County Council is inviting Lendeirs for clearing and re pairing Grecnlnml-Cedar Creek track near Ross. Tenders close at the Co urn. ty Office, at noon on Saturday next. The Westland Racing Club’s Easter programme has now been approved by the racing and trotting authorities, and. will be circulated next week. On this occasion there will be a two-dav’s meeting, Easter Wednesday and Thursday, and in view of the promised support there is likely to be a very successful meeting. Mr R. T. Carter, E.8.0.A., F.T.0.0. (England), representing John R. Procter Ltd., Opticians, of Christchurch, is again visiting Hokitika where lie may be consulted on all delects of the vision. Owing to Mr Carter’s wide experience and high diplomas coupled with tiie great satisfaction his work lias pieviously given, those suffering from defective vision and headaches, may seek his advice with every confidence of receiving the best attention possible for the welfare of their eyes.

McKay’s are making special reductions in Evening Frocks, priced from Ids lid to dds—Advt.

An ascent df Mount Egmont from the northern side during a fierce gale was made last week by -Hiss Thelma Sadler and Mr G. P. S. Smith, of New Plymouth, and Master John Higgs, of ALvpua, Nelson. Miss Sadler and Master Higgs did not climb to the top but remained sheltering at a point ten chains below the summit. Mr Smith reached tiie crater two hours twenty-five minutes after leaving the house, and on his return his birder was frozen stiff and icicles were hanging from his cap. The descent was made in an hour and thirty five minutes.

Mr L. J. Schmidt lias tendered his resignation as employers’ representative on the Court of Arbitration to the secretary of tiie New Zealand Employers’ Federation, who has formally notified tiie affliatod associations. Air Schmitt’s resignation will take effect from April Ist. next, in consequence of his having received an appointment as New Zealand Trade Commissioner in Australia. A meeting of the executive of the Employers’ Federation will be held shortly for the purpose of considering a new appointment. Local .associations are being asked to send forward any suggestions regarding the tilling of the vacancy to the Advisory Board, which will give consideration to the matter.

As expected there was a capital attendance at the Soldiers’ Hall last night for the benefit dance in aid of the R.S.A. building fund. Air Fred Smith’s band was in capital form and great demand, rendering all the latest dance music to the evident apiproval of the orowded floor. Tiie Black Hand Orchestra, under the leadership of Afr D. Stevenson, lent splendid aid. and' with the two bands in attendance there was very litUe interlude for the dancers. The floor was in capital trim, and the proceedings went merrily throughout the enening. Afisses Stapleton, representing the Ladies Hockey Club, kindly took clumre of the refreshment buffet. •In the unavoidable absence of Air Lawn, Afiss R. Jacobs kindly presided at the piano for the dance presentation by the Black Hand Orchestra. Afr Smith’s band left for Christchurch his morning, and have been invited io make another visit to tiie Coast about Easter, when there are some special engagements awaiting them in Northern AYcstland.

A ild iso ns lmve just opened to-day a range of all tlie new shades in “ Lady Jane Ho®iery.” Advt. Fluctuations of the current as experienced locally do not effect to any great extent the 'll .Electric Maiestci Radio set. A balh'st tube overcomes this annoying condition and also protects the set apeinst excessive voltage and the resultant burning out of transformers. Firm: ’nhnne 112 and arrange for a demonstration. L ; S. Foss, Majestic agent for Westland.— 10. Preserve eggs suitable for cooking, boiling, frying, or poaching—you can if you use Sliarland’s “ Mon ” Fraud Egg Preservative. Does not affect Ihfflavour. —Advt.

Thu Mo:i leaves Wellington this afternoon at 4 o’clock for Hokitika. Messrs W. Jeffries and Coy. notify a sale of furniture on Wednesday afternoon at Jvaibinu for Mr J. Maloney. Messrs W. Jeffries and Co. notify the sale by auction on Wednesday, 29 th Jan nary, of a freehold town section for Mr J. P„ Hagai-. . ; The death took place this morning after a lengthy illness of Mi's JJaueke, wife ot Mr Fred liaucke of Kanieri. The deceased wits a native of Wicklow. Ireland and 75 years of age, and had been for 57 years a resident of Now Zealand. She leaves a husband and an adopted daughter to mourn their loss, to whom the sympathy of many friends will be extended.

“I. have been away from New Zealand for nine or ten months, doine medical work, and looking into all the latest developments regarding my profession, stated Dr H. D. Robertson, of Wanganui, who returned to New Zealand by the Malt uni, to an “Evening Post” reporter. “Besides visiting the various hospitals in England and Europe, I visited the Mayo Clinic at Rochester, Minnesota, where they deal with over 100,000 patients a year, and other Dig hospitals in America. J was very much struck with the radium work going on in England arid America. It is certainly making progress, and the sooner we have adequate supplies of radium out here the bettor I think. We had a wonderful trip, right through. The weather was perfect. We had only, ton wet days in the whole ten months.”

A very narrow escape from plunging to deatli was experienced on Sunday afternoon by three Auckland motortists when travelling above a deep gorge in the Tarawera Ranges. The car swerved off the road, and was only prevented from plunging down a sheer drop of what was estimated at 1000 feet, by a low mound of earth catching the rear axle. The party were on their way from Napier to Auckland, and were about six miles from the township of Tarawera when the accident occurred. The driver had the presence off mind to apply the brake as the front of the car was overhanging the precipice. Two lady occupants scrambled back to safety. Fearing that the car would fall if the brake was released, they threw the driver a length of repe with the aid of which lie gained the bank. It was found that there was only about six finches of soil supporting the car.

The express from Christchurch yesterday did not arrive in Grevmouth until 8.55 y p.m., the 179 passengers having a 10-hour journey while the Hokitika hound travellers had an additional wearisome 1:1 hours before reaching their destination. The reason for the late arrival was the necessary caution required to be exercised following the removal of slips and repair of the washout between Kowhai Bush and Staircase Gully, which was sufficiently advanced yesterday to permit the expresses to and from Christchurch to run. A delay at Springfield of two hours and forty minutes, while the affected section was tested, accounted for the late arrival .last evening. The engine attached to the work-

ers’ relief train was drawn over the portion where the slip occurred, and it was noticed that the lines subsided a little at the bridge. This defect was built up by sleepers, and the express negotiated it with complete safety. The outward-bound train yesterday comprised nine carriages, and carried about 275 passengers to Christchurch. 10Q Tea pots all sizes to be cleared at the Economical Crockery Shop at very low cost of 2s 3d each. P. Stephens, Proprietress. —Advt. 1 doz. hearth rugs to clear at 12s 6d, at McKay’s.—Advt. You are always in want of towels. Wc have just what you want in a large assortment. Prices from Is 9d per pair to 13s 6d .per pair at Frank Fade’s. ’Phone 179.—Advt. Girls’ School Uniforms in all sizes with bloomers to match in navy, Zampa cloth from 7s lid at McKay’s.— Advt.