MORE COAL TROUBLE.

Otaki Mail, Volume XXVIII, 29 September 1920, Page 3

MORE COAL TROUBLE.

CABINET ISSUES ULTIMATUM. Wellington, September 23. The PremTcr announced to the House to-day that Cabinet has issued what is tin ultimatum to the State coalminers, who have again ceased work. “If the miners do not resume work within three days,’’ he said, “and work is not carried on with reasonable expedition, all operations will cease until further notice. ” This announcement came as the result of the almost daily question which in this case came from Air Mitchell, who wanted to know i! the rumour about another strike at the State mines was correct. Air Massey replied that work had ceased. He had received that morning this telegram from the secretary of the Miners’ Union, Runangn:—“As a result of the Railway Department’s attitude in ordering workmen out of a first-class car. and there was not sufficient accommodation on the rest of tin; train, the men were prevented from going lo work by the first train to Kcwamii. A mass meeting this morning strongly protest against this pin-pricking action of the Railway Department, and we refuse to travel under such circumstances. — (Signed) Duggan, secretary. ’’

jj Mr Massey read the following copy (of a telegram from the mine manager: —“Men idle to-day. Railway guard ordered workmen with second-class ! tickets out of the first-class car this morniug. They eonlend no other ac*1 commodatioii. Guard -ay- there wa--1 ample. All the workmen have paid a portion of the levy.”