BRITISH COAL CRISIS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17685, 24 July 1919, Page 5

BRITISH COAL CRISIS

STRIKE OF HUGE PROPOR-

TIONS.

FLOODING OF MINES CONTINUES.

INDUSTRIES SERIOUSLY AFFECTED.

Preas Association—By Telegraph—Copyright

• LONDON, July 21. Thousands have been thrown idle at Sheffield, owing to a shortage of coal. Several works are closed.

The miners at North Notts and Burnley have struck as a protest against the 6s rise, considering it unjustified.—A. and N.Z. Cable.

USE OF SERVICE MEN

PRESERVATION OF PROPERTY.

TWO HUNDRED AND SEVENTY THOUSAND MEN ON STRIKE.

LONDON, July 22. Tho Government explains that it is not attempting to use the service men as strike-breakers. The drastic step of sending 5000 naval stokers is taken to assist in pumping at tho mines, with the view of avoiding irreparable damage and preserving the miners' livelihood.

The real danger now lies in the miners' misconstruing the Government's object. The strike is of colossal proportions. . There are 200,000 strikers in South Yorkshire, 45,000 in Derbyshire, 10,000 in Monmouthshire, 8000 "in Mansfield, 4000 in Burnley, and 3000 in Soutli Staffordshire.

Two Leeds foundries have been closed, and many of the largest works have reduced their activities, in anticipation of a shortage of coal. America has contracted to deliver to France 100,000 tons of coal, and negotiations are afoot to deliver a further lialfmillion tons.

Hitherto South Wales has supplied French requirements, but America alono is able to guarantee deliveries.—A. and N.Z. Cable.

FLOODING OF THE MINES.

PUMPING NOT STARTED,

SERIOUS LOSS OF WAGES.

_ LONDON, July 22. The flooding continues in the Yorkshire mines.

Sir Eric Geddes is holding a conference ■with the mine inspectors. The naval firemen have not yet gone to the work of pumping. The miners are losing £1,000.000 per week.

It is officially stated that £281,000.000 ■will be paid for 192,000,000 tons of coal in the coming year, of which sum. labour will receive £210,000,000, royalties £6,000,000 owners profits £12,500.000, and expenses £52,500,000.—A. and N.Z. Cable.

NATIONALISATION • QUESTION,

TRIAL HINTED AT.

LONDON, July 17. In the House of _ Lords' debate on nationalisation Lord Milner retracted his statement that the Government had an open mind as to the control of industry, and hinted at tlie possibility of State mines being tried experimentally in a few areas —A. and N.Z. Cable.

STOCK EXCHANGE DEPRESSED

WELSH MINERS STILL AT WORK

. LONDON, July 22. (Received July 23, at 11.5 p.m.) The coal trouble has depressed the Stock Exchange, and consols are quoted at £51 10s.

The Welsh Miners' Conference decided to continue work until the Government and the Miners Federation have <T fr reed upon new piece rates.—A. and N.Z. Cable.

SIX PITS FLOODED,

TROOPS SENT TO STRIKE AREA,

CONFERENCE ARRANGED

LONDON, Julv 22,

(Received July 23, at 11.5 p.m.) The Miners Federation for the present* hold aloof from the Yorkshire dispute It is officially stated that at Leeds six pits are flooded and that five others arc in danger of flooding -within the next 12 hours. The strikers drew the boiler fires at seven others. The danger is due to withdrawal _of the engineers from a number of collieries.

Naval men have been placed in three collieries.

Notices have been issued in Lancashire and Nottinghamshire -warning users that it will be necessary to curtail the coal supplies and the electricity, gas, water and railway services. A number of lax<*e works have been closed.

It is understood tha't four divisions of troops are arriving in the strike area. The Triple Labour Alliance will meet in London to-day, and there will also be a separate conference of miners' delegates to frame a reply to the Government's statements.

Tho Prime Minister and Mr Bonar Law will meet the Miners' Executive to-mor-row.—A. and N.Z. Cable.

DANGER OF EXPLOSIONS AND FIRES. LONDON, Julv, 23. (Received July 24, at 0.20 a.m.) A serious aspect of the strike is tlie danger of explosions and fires in dry mines and in stopping the Page ventilating machinery. ° Most of the managers are endeavouring to pump and ventilate without naval assistance, using volunteers aid amateurs — A. and N.Z. Cable.