COAL STRIKE OVER.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1702, 24 April 1917, Page 2

COAL STRIKE OVER.

MEN RESUME WORK TOMORROW.

The coal strike has ended. All the mines will start work on Wednesday (to-morrow). Those at Runanga voted for a return to work by 178 to 80. “It is now definitely announced that the State and Blackball miners are prepared to return to work. They are only awaiting the result of the Westport miners’ meeting.

RELEASE OF IMPRISONED LEADERS EXPECTED.

Westport, April 23. At a meeting of the miners at Denniston, Millerton, and Stockton to-day it was decoded to resume work on Monday. It is understood that this is the result of (he conference between the Ministers and miners’ delegates. It is stated that the imprisoned men will be released, but no ditinite information as to this is available. The decision to return to work was unanimous, and was carried by a large majority at the other two centres.

STOCKTON MEN REVERSE THEIR ATTITUDE.

Christchurch, April 23

The manager of the Westport - Stockton Coal Company received a telegram to-night from (he mine manager at Stockton, stating that the men there held a meeting to-day and (budded to slart work on Wednesday, and abandon the “go slow” policy.

This is a complete reversal of (ho Siockton men’s attitude, for in (he ballot taken recently they decided unanimously in favour of striking. The decision of the Siockton men leads (he Coal Company oflicials here to believe that the miners at Millerton and Denniston, in view of (heir latest ballot figures, will also decide to resume work.

COX FIH MATTOX AWAITED BY ACTING-PREMIER.

Interviewed late last night by a Times representative, Sir .lames Allen (the Acting-Prime Minister) said that he had received no official information with regal’d to the matter, and could make no definite statement till official confirmation was received. He l had no doubt, however, that the general statement, was correct. It was officially known that (he miners at the Bailer end were' in favour of the resumption of work, but official news had not yet come through as to (he other mines. Sir .James Allen said that he could say nothing further at the present stage; and, in particular, that he could not at present give anv information as to the terms of * I the agreement. Cabinet discussed the coal strike for some two hours and a-half , ■ yesterday afternoon; and, seen by a * Times reporter afterwards. Sir James Allen slated that he could , say practically no more than he had -.aid on Sunday. “The miners,” he added, “are considering the matter to-day, and I expect to get an an- ''l* swer to-morrow. There is, as I staled at Christchurch on Saturday, no need for the public to give up hope.”