WORK AND WAGES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 183, 24 July 1908, Page 2

WORK AND WAGES.

itUM.Uliiii) (JJSNJiUAL MKiJiJi UF COAL-MINUIiS. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wanganiii, Thursday, A southern commercial 111,111 who is on a visit lo Waiigauui jiit'ornicd a Herald representative that lie had every reason lu believe a big strike ul a mole ur less general character was being ™- giueered among coal-miners: "if their plans do not miscarry," he remarked, "i have good authority lor saying that the Ist of August has been lixed as the date and that most of the South Isiatra miners, and probably many of t'.ie North Island, will eome out. Tile (ioverninent as well as the eonimereial firms are anticipating something of the sort," he added, "for they are plaeinig. very largo orders both in New Zealand, and Australia for immediate delivery."

AUCKLAND OPTIMISM. Auckland, Thursday. Inquiries at Auckland tend lo support the prediction of a coal strike in August. As a matter of fact large Auckland firms have been getting in heavy supplies to provide against an emergency. ALUitiJiD' I'KKCAUTIONAPvY MKASUItKS. ' Wellington, Last Night. In reference to the rumors of a piobable strike of coal millers, the \\est-' I port Coal Company state they know nothing at all about such a feeling existing, nor of linns laying in large stocks of coal against some Such- emergency as suggested in the telegrams. From another source, however, comes the information that ever since the Blackball strike there has been uneasiness among miners generally. Further, it is stated that the liovernment railways have been buying up all the coal they can obtain, and have had to go out of the Dominion for an order of 10,000 tons of Newcastle coal. It is stated a repeat order of the same quantity is contemplated. There is also an unusual demand for coal from other quarters.

About 11 month ago u conference was held, between representatives of the Blackball Miners' Union and the company relative to the demand for an.increase of wages and other concessions, Which were being made by the Union. The Union representaives intimated that if the demands were not granted the matter would be referred to Uio.i Miners' Federation of New Zealand, and that body would approach the company in support of the demands. The miners said that they .would not go w the Arbitration Court to decide the matter, but to the Federation, and that if the demands .were not granted, a strike would probably follow.

THE KUMOK KIWOULED. Duncdin, Last Night. The suggestion that a coal miners' strike is meditated is characterised by ill'. A. Forbes, secretary of the Otag'o Coal Miners' Association, as ridiculous. Ho said that in the course of his business he had every opportunity to know whether there was any organised preparation for a big strike or not. There has been no communication between the Otiigo Union and any other coal miners' union on such it i]iiestion. As regards local miners' disputes, Mr. Forbes slktcs that arrangements have been made for conferences between employers and miners next week. It is confidently expected by Ihe parties that an amicable settlement will be ell'ected. So far as Otago employers and coal merchants are concerned', they have had no intimation of a genera! strike impending. They consider the rumor us •an outcome of imagination.

STRIKE AT OTIKA TUNNEL Christchurc'li, Last Night. The Otira correspondent of Christchurch Truth telegraphs that the men tm the tunnel works are on strike, the chief cause being victimisation and general unrest at the works.