THE COAL STRIKE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 240, 10 April 1912, Page 5

THE COAL STRIKE.

! THE STRIKE BALLOT. FINANCIAL DISASTER. By Cable—Press Asioeiation—Copyright, London, April 8. An analysis of Saturday's voting •hows that Durham, Northumberland. Derby, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire., and Cumberland reversed their ballot decision and joined South Wales and the Midlands in favor of resumption, and that probably Scotland did likewise. The minority in favor of continuing the strike thus consisted of Yorkshire, Lancashire and Cheshire. Those delegates not bound by instructions interpreted the men's desire to be to resume, Which is not attributable to the exhaustion of funds, inasmuch as Durham and Derbyshire have ample resources. Tyneside coal merchants predict a permanent rise of Is 6d to 2s per ton for household coal, to cover the increased cost of production, owing to the minimum wage. The collieries intimate that regular supplies will be available in three days. ' It is calculated that the miners lost six millions in wages and two millions in trade funds and personal savings. Other workers lost eight millions. The estimated loss of coal production was ten millions, the loss in production by other industries ten millions, and the total loss to the community fifty millions.

George Barker, a member of the executive of the Miners' Federation, hints at the possibility of a strike by all classes of workers if the district boards fix the minimum below the schedule.

WORK RESUMED. Londou, April 8. The miners at Cannock Chase and in the whole of Scotland, except in Fifeehire, have resumed work. Mr. V. Hartshorn, speaking at Maesteg, said that transport workers would strike in the earlv summer.

DIVIDED OPINION. THREATENED NATIONAL STRIKE. Received 9, 11.15 p.m. London, April 9. One hundred and eighty thousand miners are working. TV majority of the others will r.snmc to-day, though there is much ill-feelii!.? in the North of England. Resumption at Durham and South Wales is delayed by the attitude of the enginemen. The Durham enginemen, who are earning 5s 4-d per shift, demand an increase of eightpence and an eight hours' day. The masters are offering fourpence. j Mr. Hartshorn, speaking at Maesteg, said that preparations are being made for a labor movement of unprecedented magnitude. The threatened pressure' upon thr Government to introduce legis- i lation preventing the workers holding up the country necessitated a union be- J tween the transport workers, railway- i men and miners. It is believed that two millions will be striking within a few months for a national eight hours' day and a national minimum wage. SYDNEY'S GIFT. Sydney, April 9. The Lord Mayor has sent a second !£IOOO to assist the starving workers in England. HASTINGS RELIEF FUND. By Telegraph—Special to News. Hastings, Last Night.

Contributions by residents of Hastings for the relief of starving British children now total £lB5 10s. These include Mr. G. P. Donnelly's gift of £IOO and church flollections.