STRIKE OF STATE MINERS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 248, 25 November 1909, Page 2

STRIKE OF STATE MINERS.

THE EFFECT OUTSIDE. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Dunedin Wednesday. The local manager of the State depot says as the summer trade has co nineneed there is not really the same cause lor anxiety as if the strike happened ill the winter months as in Dunedin there is a siilliciency of coal for a two months' household supply. Westport, Wednesday.

Work is going along briskly at. ihe mines at Ucnniston, Millertou, Ngakawau and Seddonvillc. At Denniston a claim was made by the men for some slight increase, but it was held oror pending the arrival of Mr. Dixon, district superintendent, at Wellington from Australia next Thursday week. So far as can be ascertained, the men in this district have no serious grievance. Christchureh, Wednesday.

The supply of coal at Christchureh is ample for some time, and if the dispute at the State mine is settled soon and a prolonged strike avoided, little inconvenience will be felt and no rise in tile price ol coal. However, all interested in the coal business feel that the position is very uncertain, and owing to the good organisation of the miners throughout the Dominion, fear that the difficulty may assume greater dimensions and affect all other mince. There has been a considerable "run" by householders on coal dealers, and heavy private orders have been given. Wellington, Last Night.

'The Wellington State coal depot hold sufficient stocks now for two or three weeks, and the Pobenia will soon be in with ;i fresh supply. The authorities can see their way clear to supply the public for another month. The Seddonville State mine is still working, but the output of this mine is only about •3000 tons a month at present. The Point Elizabeth mine has been averaging about 251)0 tons a month, of which the Railway Department has thicen taking nearly half. This Department, however, will be able to stand at least a four months' siege, even if all sources oi supply are stopped. WHAT THE DEMANDS AMOUNT TO. STATEMENT BY HON. McKEXZIB. Wellington, Last Night.

The Minister for Mines, in an interview with a Post reporter, said the crucial point was in regard to the miners trucking out from the fact, and the Department lo take charge of the trucks afterwards. This, said Mr. McKenzic, represented an increased charge of -Id a ton, amounting to about C-100 on last year's order. "We couldn't stand if." he added, "and we proposed that the question should be settled I.y the Conciliation Commissioner or I lie Arbitration Court, but the men refused anil we cannot see our way to make nnv further concessions." AUSTRALIAN COMMENT. By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright Sydney, November 24. Both morning papers comment on the strike of the New Zealand State coalminers. The Daily Telegraph says: "The long arms of coincidence seldom indulged in a more selfish freak than that which brings about a New Zealand strike, just when Mr. McGowan and his followers come out to demand the nationalisation of our coal mines, as the only means for the prevention of a strike. 1 ' The Sydney Morning Herald declares: "The New Zealand strike throws up the boasted stability of State control in n 'iirid light."