THE COAL STRIKE.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 23 April 1917, Page 5

THE COAL STRIKE.

THE, POSITION IN AUCKLAND. AUCKLAND, April 21. Although flic loyalty of the Huntly miners to the country in its need will lesson the intensity of the pinch in some directions, the general situation cannot be said to have improved greatly. Of the output of between 350 and 400 tons daily from the Taupin mine, about sixsevenths roughly comes to Auckland and its suburbs. Ordinarily, however, the bulk of its coal is consumed for the domestic requirements of the city, but at the present time practically the whole of it is being diverted to the production of steam for running factory machinery. Even so the supply is utterly inadequate to keep the many industries and public facility concerns of the city going, and already several foctorv owners announce That they will be compelled to close down unless more is forthcoming in a day or two. As for the domestic supply of the general public, it is practically non-existant to-day, and unless the Pukemiro and Waipa miners resume work next week, many mines in Auckland will be. entirely without fuel.

At the Westfield manure works the supply of coal in hand will only last, at the present rate of consumption, for two weeks. If the position is not relieved within that time the works will have to close down. There are between 70 and SO men employed at the works. Some murmuring is making itself heard respecting the long-suffering attitude of the Government in the present coal crisis, especially in view of the fact that the avowed object of the strike is not because of discontent with working conditions, but purely because of th e men’s objection to military conscription. It is reassuring to know therefore that the period of dclliance is likely to terminate very shortly. Every effort has been made to break down the obdurate attitude of the strikers conciliatory means, and by appeals to their patriotism. The failure of all arguments, as is indicated by the result of yesterday’s ballot among the West Coast strikers, has rendered the position too critical to allow a further delay, and it is understood on good authority that a definite pronounEemen of a resolute character will be made by the Government within the next few days. ’

SEED AND FERTILIZERS,

WELLINGTON, April 21

. The Board of Trade considered representations from Christchurch regarding carriage by rail of seed wheat aud fertilisers, for which no provision was made by any Department under, the new conditions. The Board communicated with the Minister of Agriculture, who put the matter before the Minister for Railways. The Department now agrees to carry bona fide seed wheat as usual. Consignors and Consignees must satisfy the Department as to the bona tides of all transactions. Fertilisers to be used for seed wheat, etc., will be curried under similar conditions, but must bo sent direct to farmers, and quantities must necessarily be limited.

i <Ju. i.KJ l‘.L:XibK> 7 fcriiiL IN DOUBT.

INCONVENIENCE IN WELLINGTON

WELLINGTON, this day

Sir James Allen and Mr MacDonald returned to Wellington yesterday from the West Coast. Cabinet sat during the afternoon to consider the strike position, and adjourned till this afternoon. When questioned Sir James Allen said he met the miners on Friday night, and discussed matters till three o ’clock on Saturday morning, and came to an arrangment with the miners, which they have to submit to the unions. Lntill the latter give an answer he was unable to make a further statement.

Further local inquiries show that the position is serious. Coal stocks are exhausted and the present cold snap is causing a rather heavier drain on householders’ supplies. Ferry services have been reduced, and suburbanites dependent on trams had an unpleasant surprise yesterday, discovering that no cars were running all day* beyond a very attenuated service between the city and Newtown and through to tire other side of Kilbirnie Tunnel.

The Government offices opened at 8.30 this morning and close at 4.30, in order to save lighting. The Mayor is appealing to business people to so modify their hours as to reduce the demands on electricity for light and power, and conserve the dwindling coal stocks as long os possible.

DEALERS SOLD OUT,

WELLINGTON, April 21

Wellington coal merchants have sold all their stocks, and ceased taking orders some days ago. Shipping companies will be seriously affected, and there is a possibility that only one steamer will be run on the Welftington-Lyttcl-fcon ferry service, although it is suggested that the Government may supply sufficient coal to maintain the present service. No coal is available for the general public. The Wellington Gas Company has sufficient coal for one month's normal

requirements of 15,000 customers.

REPUDIATION AND A PLEDGE.

WELLINGTON, this day,

A large meeting of farmers on Saturday passed a resolution indignantly repudiating the statement by Mr O ’- Byrne in the Maoriland Worker that down in Southland there is an extraordinary Jcvclopmcnt of opposition to die idea of conscription remaining on the Statute book, and almost every fanner there is sympathetic with the miners. The meeting urged the Government to subdue the strike and pledged their support.

LIMITED ACCOMODATION.

WELLINGTON, April 21

Anticipating rushes for strike service trains, the Railway Department will reserve both first and second class scats on the Wcllingfon-Anckland and Christ-churcn-Duned in-In vercargill expresses for journeys above 100 miles. Passengers for intermediate stations can reserve by telegram. The Department will only take a load which one engine can haul, and this limits the capacity of the 'Auckland expresses to about 250, and the southern express to about 300 nassengers. W’hen seats arc booked to capacity, further applications will be refused. If the train is filled at the commencement of the journey, passengers awaiting at other stations will be advised that the Department will bo unable to take them till the following

Nothing further has developed with the coal steamer here,, which is still awaiting discharge.