THE COAL STRIKE.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 21 April 1917, Page 5

THE COAL STRIKE.

SUPPLIES IN DUNEDIN. AUSTRALIA’S ATTITUDE. DUNEDIN, April 20. For household coal a panicky demand seems to have sot in in Dunedin, and merchants say definitely that there is no cause for it. People are seemingly making themselves snug for the winter months. Local stocks are good, and equal to the demand if normal orders are maintained. The position, of course, may become more acute rapidly.

So far Australia has not declared New Zealand “black” —that is to say, Australians have not yet refused to load coal for New Zealand ports. It is understood, however, that negotiations arc going forward between the strikers

and their friends in the Commonwealth

MINERS STILL OUT,

BALLOT AT HUNTLY

AUCKLAND, April 20

There arc no reassuring developments to report to-day regarding the strike of a large section of the Waikato coalminers, the only encouraging fact to relate being the continued working of the Taupiri mines. The real attitude of the men on strike remains very much of an enigma, for, although it is ostensibly connected with their declared objection to conscription, the fact that as workers in what may at the .present time be regarded as the most essential industry, coalminers would be exempt from military service, such a plea cannot be digested by the most credulous of the public, in view of the loyal acceptance of the situation by other workers. Meanwhile Auckland, in common with other centres affected, is fast drifting to all the discomfort and distress it means, not only to those with whom the strikers arc popularly supposed to be at variance, but to the wives and children of every section of the community.

MEN WORKING AS USUAL,

HUNTLY, April 20

The miners at Huntly are taking a ballot this morning, the ballot papers being handed to them at the pithead as they go to work. There are, few men about the streets, where current rumour declares that it is not likely, that any stop-work proposal will be carried.

It has not been decided when the result of the ballot will be disclosed. The town is quiet.

NO CHANGE IN WELLINGTON.

WELLINGTON, April 20,

The waterfront situation here is unchanged. All work is proceeding, except that of discharging the coal cargo already referred to. A good sign of a general character is the adoption of the waterside workers’ agreement with the shipowners by the Waterside Workers’ Union. There was a large majority in its favour at the secret ballot. As the returns from several unions in the federation are not to hand, it is impossible to state whether the agreement, which is for the whole Dominion, will become operative. WEST COAST DECISION. FAVOURS THE STRIKE.

GREYMOUTH, April 20

All the coal miners’ unions on the West Coast, with the exception of the Brunner miners (who are not on strike) have decided by open ballot to continue the strike against the Compulsory Service Act.

The majority in favour of continuing the strike is said to bo overwhelming, but no figures are available.

THE GOVERNMENT ATTITUDE. 1 ‘ WILL DO ITS DUTY.” HOKITIKA, April 20. The Acting Prime Minister, and the Hon. W. D. S. MacDonald visited Hokitika to-day, and delivered short addresses to a crowded audience. Referring to the reason of their visit,; Sir James Allen said he and his colleague had addressed the miners in many parts of the district. The miners -were taking a secret ballot on the question of resuming work. The Government would bo delighted if the men resumed, but if there was an adverse vote, the Government would do its duty. The speakers both referred to the part New Zealand was playing in the war, and affirmed that the Government was determined to see the Military Service Act carried out.

The following resolution was carried unanimously:— “That this meeting

pledges itself to support the National Government in giving effect- to any measures that may be deemed necessary to deal with the present national crisis. ’ ’ The audience cheered and sang the National Anthem. AUCKLAND TRAMS TO STOP. IF COAL NOT SUPPLIED ON SATURDAY. AUCKLAND, April 20. TTho Tramway Company’s supply of coal will bo exhausted by next baturday, and unless delivery is made then

LATEST NEWS. HUNTLY MINERS ’ BALLOT. WORK TO BE CONTINUED. AUCKLAND, April 20. The Huntly miners to-day took a ballot on the question of striking. The voting was: —

In favour of “clowning tools” 115 For continuance of work .. . 122

Majority for working 7

The mine will not work on Monday

owing to repairs,

OBJECTION TO CONSCRIPTION ACT WESTPORT, this day. At the ballot taken by the Westport General Labourers Union, it was decided by 98 votes to 56 to support the following resolution:—‘‘That we members of the General Labourers Union express our entire wholehearted sympathy with, and approval of, the coalminers unions in their strike against the Conscription Act; we likewise desire

to enter an emphatic protest against the Act, which we call on the Government to immediately repeal. We express our sincere regret that the Government has shown so little con sideration for the importance of National Unity, in that it ever turned a deaf ear to organised labour’s repeated protest against the Act, and still further accentuated that trouble by the uncalled for severity of its dictatorship. We sincerely hope that the Government will endeavour to alleviate the unrest, and prevent the further spread of industrial unheaval by immediately repeal ing the Act.”

MEETING AT CARTERTON

CARTERTON, this day

A well-attended and thoroughly representative meeting was held in the Town Hall at Greytown last night, which passed a resolution urging upon the Minister of Railways not to cut off the town altogether from railway communication. "The following resolution was unanimous: “That this meeting desires to express the warmest sympathy with the Government in the present crisis, caused by the strike of coal miners, and pledges itself to support every effort made to bring it to a speedy end.” '* The principal speakers were the Mayor and Mr. Hornsby, M.P. When the motion was passed the meeting rose and sang the National Anthem.