COAL TRADE CRISIS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 203, 24 February 1912, Page 5

COAL TRADE CRISIS.

! ADMIEALTY OBTAINING SUPPLIES. | INCREASE IN PRICE. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright London, February 2S. The Admiralty, in addition to the American contract for the Mediterranean, is also purchasing all available coal in South Wales. The best coal is realising 34s per ton in London. Members of the Cabinet and Sir George Askwith had two houri' conference with the miners' representatives, and later conferred with seventy coal-owners. They finally again conferred with the miners' representatives, but the results of the conferences are not known. Durham County enginemen have decided to strike on Match 11, as the masters refused to grant an eight hours day and an advance of wages. The Wholesale Provision Dealers' Association at Bristol has decided to suspend credit terms to retailers in South Wales in the event of a strike. Berlin, February 22. The consensus of newspaper opinion is to the effect that a sympathetic German coal strike is unlikely. Madrid, February 22. The Minister of the Interior fears that the coal strike in Britain will close many works in Spain. PREPARE FOR THE WORST. TROOPS. FOR WALES. SERIOUS COMPLICATIONS FEARED. Received 24. 1.50 a.m. London, February 23. i The conference lias been adjourned till Tuesday, when rrpresentatives of the Miners' National Conference will be invited to join in the negotiations.. The magistrates of Rhondda have applied for 15,000 troops. The Times is urging the Government to prepare for the worst, and says it is doubtful whether any decision of the national conference in the direction of peace would command obedience. The South Wales newspaper, Labor Leader, declares that unless the Government compelled the owners to submit,, the stoppage of the mines is inevitable.