DOMINION NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 July 1917, Page 5

DOMINION NEWS.

GAS WORKERS' STRIKE. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. Trouble with the retort-house employees is continuing. The gas company has decided to out off all supplies of gas at 0 o'clock to-nighit until 8 o'clock in the morning, this course being adopted as one likely to cause the least dislocation of industry, the only alternative being the dislocation of industry by cutting off gas supplies in the daytime, thus throwing works out of employment and disturbing industries dependent for power upon gas engines. The need for this step is that though the men who left in accordance with notice yesterday morning have been replaced by some thirty other employees, the latter are new to the work, and for a while will be unaible to keep-production up to the full pressure. The new men are working under skilled direction, and are reported to be shaping well. They find no difficulty in working in the heat, which 'was one of the principal grounds of complaint put forward by the o(d staff. Gradually the men at present working will be replaced by others fron}

outside. The management stated today that a number of applications ftad been received, and as soon as possible the men would *e organised into permanent shifts. The men who left work yesterday complain that the defective roof made conditions bad, especially for fire- cleaners. They also state that a fan to carry off the fumes was promised a year ago, but has not yet been installed. The company explains that a portion of the roof was removed for ventilation in the summer, and repairs will be effected immediately, also that the fan will be put in as soon as -possible. Extra assistance has been provided in connection with, fire cleaning, but this is not what the men wanted. They wished to do that work, and could do it, but desired extra pay. A further development of the trouble is reported. It is understood that a coal-laden steamer at Miratoar wharf, Whereat the supplies for the gas works are usually landed, is unable to discharge owing to labor trouble. <

WELCOME HOME TO PREMIER. By Telegraph. —Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. A welcome home to the Premier was tendered to him to-day at Pukekohe 'by the constituents of Franklin. Sir James Allen was also -present. There was a large gathering at the reception in the afternoon, which gavo a most enthusiastic welcome to the Premier, who in a speech dealt with the Dominion's paTt in the war on the lines of his recent speeches. He stated that 75,000 men had left New Zealand and 10,000 were in camp. A banquet was held in the evening.

DEATH FROM BURNS. Auckland, Last Night. Mav Madigon, six years of age, died in the hospital to-day from the effects of burns and scalds, caused through falling in a faint while carrying a kettle of boiling water. v LABOR CONGRESS RESOLUTIONS. 'Wellington, Last Night. A deputation representing the Labor Congress, which was held last week, interviewed Mr. Kcrries to place before him some resolutions of the Congress. Mr Hemes, in reply, said the Government was formed for war purposes, and as Parliament had agreed to sink party for the time being it could not handle a controversial matter. The machinery for-the amendment of existing legislation had not come under the ban and it had Ueen agreed that delects should : be amended without delay.