MINERS' STRIKE.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 April 1917, Page 5

MINERS' STRIKE.

EARLY SETTLEMENT PROSPECTS. ' NOT TOO BRIGHT. MEETING A'f GUJiVMOUTII. ®y Telegraph.—Press Association. G'reymoutli, April 20.. At a meeting of the Greymoutli Labor Tarty branch in connection with.thu municipal elections, O'Brien and O'Rorko, speaking on behalf of the coal miners, stated that in tiie strike against compulsory sen-ice there would be 110 compromise whatever. They asked for support and co-operation in a practical way, indicating that the miners themselves could only liohl out for ' five months without outside assistance, but if the people wanted the Act repealed it was up to thorn to back lip the miners, who were called upon to dp the work for (lie people. Mr. P. 0. Webb, M.P., at the same meeting, stated that, although the miners of New Zealand are 17 per cent, less than their numbers prior to the war, their output was 25 per cent, more, and the output per miner a world's record. | Tiie meeting passed a resolution of sympathy with the miners, and called on the Government to repeal tho Act. Sir James Allen says that, lie was courteously received in addressing meec ings of miners, and lie believed this visit would have a good result. Yesterday the Acting-Premier presented tho late Private Geaney's mother with the Military Medal won by lier son. Grey mouth, Last Night. The miners' delegates who had .been conferring with the Buller delegates at Reefton to-day had an appointment with the Ministers here at 0 o'clock, but up till 10 o'clock had not put in an appearand:. The Ministers, on being interviewed, said they had no statement to make and would not disclose anything till they reached Wellington. Both Sir James Allen and the Hon. W. D. H. Macdonald are. leaving for Christehurch to-morrow morning. The outlook for an early settlement does not seem bright. POSITION MORE CRAVE. STRIKE WILL CONTINUE. " MEN DETERMINED. Greymouth, Last Night. All the, coal miners' unions on tho West Coast, with the exception of the Brunner, who are not on Btrike, have decided by open ballot to continue the strike against the compulsory service Act. The majority in fa\or is said to ba overwhelming, but no figures are available. _ , ELECTRICAL SUPPLY. ECONOMISING COAL. Wellington, April 20. The City Coun"il 1" st night adopted the following suggestions by the City Engineer, with the view of economising coal during the present crisis: The j honra for cessation of work in business premises shall be as follows:--Offices and warehouses 4.30 p.m., shops 5.30. Street lighting will be cut out till 7.30. Picture theatres will not he supplied with lighting between 4.30 ard 7 p.m. Tramway Sunday traffic will be curtailed as far as possible by charging a universal sixpenny fare. HUNTLY MINES. . j WORK TO BE CONTINUED.' j Auckland. Last Night. The H "itly miners to-day toot a ballot i he que .ion of str' Ig. Voting was: I irvor of downing tools, TIC; ".r .c, tin a:/j }f work, 122; j&jority. for vukhg, I. The mino will not be working on ilonday, owing to Tepaira being necessary. I RAILWAY RESTRICTIONS. OFFICIAL NOTICE. Wellington, Last Niglit. A statement issued by the Railways Department last night says that the through expresses and mail trains will be restricted to one engine and passengers will not be admitted when the train is full. Provision will be made for passengers to reserve seats for. 7d not later than half an hour before the train goes, but seats will not be reserved for journeys less than 100 miles. The public is warned as to the number and size o£ the trains restricted. STOCKS SHORT. PRACTICALLY EXHAUSTED. Wellington, Last Night. Coal stocks are reported to be light here. A leading merchant says that | stocks for householders and small manufacturers are practically exhausted already, and expects to see. some fac-! Tories close down at the end of next: week. The gas , company and meat froezing companies are afl'ectcd by the restricted train service from to-morrow. MEETING AT REEFTON. , Reefton, Last Night. A meeting of coal mine delegates. Was held here to-day, but no finality Was reached. Delegates went to Greymouth to further discuss the mattei; with the Acting Premier and the Hon. W. D. S. Macdonald. AUSTRALIAN SYMPATHY. Australian-N.Z. Cable Association Sydney, April 20. The Federal Council of the Austral-. Asian Coal Employees' Federation has decided to take any steps necessary to, Nay Zealand aiawi, _