THE LABOUR DIFFICULTY. PREPARATIONS FOR A COAL FAMINE. THE STRIKE EXPECTED TO LAST TWO MONTHS.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 293, 25 August 1888, Page 5

THE LABOUR DIFFICULTY. PREPARATIONS FOR A COAL FAMINE. THE STRIKE EXPECTED TO LAST TWO MONTHS.

Monday next, the 27th, is the date fixed by the Newcastle miners for tho commencement of the threatened strike, in the event of their demands not being acceded to by the mine-owners, and from all accounts by wire and by mail it would appear as if there is little possibility of an amicable settlement being anived at betore then. In the meantime Newcastle coal has advanced to all sorts of prices, as much as 50 per cent, advance on ordinary quotations having been asked for cargoes to arrive. Messrs AVinstone and Company have 400 tons in the barque Loongana, which arrived here yesterday afternoon, and the greater part of the cargo lias been disposed of already. Mr J. Craig has 462 tons Newcastle coal to arrive fiom Newcastle by the brigantine Parnoll, which was to have sailed to-day ; and Captain D. H. McKenzie, as we have previously stated, has secured a cargo by the Linda Weber to follow. In the event of the strike coming off, these cargoes will be worth almost any money. At present Newcastle coal is quoted at an ad\ance of 5s per , ton on last week's prices, both at ships' side at the yards, and delivered. So far local coal has not been much affected, e?cept that good stocks are kept on hand, and concerning Southern coal nothing definite can be stated at present. Mr C. B. Stone telegraphed to Grey mouth yesterday j asking whether he could be supplied with steamer-loadt> of coal during the next ten days, and up to a late \ hour this afternoon he had received no reply. This is probably owing to the uncertainty which exists as to the possibility of an enormous demand for grey coal in the event of the strike taking place. A cargo of coal in the schooner Louie, now on the I way from Greymouth to this port, has been \ sold by Stone Bros, to the Thames Gas Com- i pany, which hitherto has used Newcastle coal. From the Sydney agent?. Messrs Scone Bros, received information by mail yesterday, and they are informed that the strike is expected to take place on 27th. It is expected to last for six weeks or two months, and vessels are scarce and freights higher than at previous advices in consequence. We learn on inquiry that the Auckland Gas Company have been using Newcastle coal for some months past, but if the strike takes place, they will no doubt draw their supplies from the Grey. Unfortunately, \ the local coal, which is good tor household purposes and for &team, is not used for the ■ production of gas. So far a? the possibility of the Grey and Westport miners joining in the strike, such an emergency does not appear to be entertained at piesent, but should they do so, the complications would become much more seiious than otherwise so far as this colony is concerned. Me&sis C. 3T. James and Co. have received advices from Sydney under date of the 15th inst., j confirming previous news received re the anticipated strike, and stating that in the meantime all the available coal has been bought up by steamship owners. Coal could not be had in Sydney for love nor money, and business was very much interfered with in consequence.