MEETING IN NEW PLYMOUTH.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 April 1917, Page 5

MEETING IN NEW PLYMOUTH.

NATIONALISATION. OF INDUSTRIES The largest and most enthusiastic mass meeting of workers ever held in New Plymouth eventuated last night, to consider the best means to be adopted in order to solve the present labor crisis. Mr. Fitzpatrick presided. The following resolutions were passed:— (1) That this mass meeting of workers of New Plymouth urge upon the National Government the urgest necessity of nationalisation .of the coal industry of New Zealand, as :by doing this it will show to the work'ers that at least one honest attempt has been made to win the war. That the National Government be urged to nationalise the coastal shipping service in New Zealand. That the National Government be asked to open butcher shops in New Plymouth, as lias been done in other centres. PROSPECTS OF SETTLEMENT. STOCKS OF COAL SHORT EVERYWHERE. A NEW DEVELOPMENT. : (From Our Own Correspondent). Wellington), April 18. The news available regarding the coal strike does not encourage a hope that the settlement will be speedy or easy, but it' may bo too soon, yet to assume that the efforts made 'by the Ministers who are visiting the West Coast will tie fruitless. The Railways Department is making its arrangements for ai very drastic cut in railway services, beginning on Monday next. The number of train miles run is to be reduced by about one-half in order to economise coal, and it is clear that this step is going to disorganise business and industry in many directions. Many sawmills and other works may have to close, down quickly. One gathers that employers are making their plans accordingly. The Government has received many assurances of unqualified support in its resistance to tiie demand made by the miners for the repeal of the Military Service Act The reduction of the coastal steamer services has begun, but it will have to proceed vwy much further as soon as it' becomes clear that the miners, and pos- j siWy their supporters in -other industries, are going to prove obstinate. The Government must have coal for transports and food ships, and stocks throughout the country are very low at tho, present time. The Railways Department is understood to hold a considerable quantity of coal, but some of it may have to be diverted from the railway service. A new development is tho refusal of tho waterside -workers here to handle the coal aboard a steamer that has arrived from Newcastle. Tho refusal is not a strike. The men simply stood aside when the call .WAS inade for labour. Rut it is clear that their action raises the issues'that'it was hoped the recent conferences had'settled. The local public is taking the situation calmly, and it does not appear that any rush has yet been made for coal or the other supplies that may be affected in the event of the strike, being prolonged. The City Council will curtail the city lighting- and consider proposals for the reduction of'the tram services next week. The .Gas Company is understood to hold a considerable quantity of coal in hand, but in the event of a prolonged stoppage it will take steps to en-1 force economy ••.poii tfie c m unr.crs. The J price of gaa lo"klly has just been raised by the reduction of the discount rate, j