MOTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 August 1918, Page 5

MOTHER COUNTRY.

A COAL SHORTAGE,

SUPPLIES VITAL TO ALLIES' . CAUSE.

London, August 21. Mr. Oaultlirop, speaking at a conference of the Miners' Federation at Southport, said the country was faced with a coal shortage of 80,000,000 tons a year. Jt was hoped to save between K,000,000 and 9,000,000 tons by means of household rationing of coal and electricity.

Tho deficit could only be met by rationing the important industries nor directly concerned in war work and by an improved output. Ihe privation* of the Allies flr exceeded ours. In France the ■ coal rationing for a, family of five was only 28 cwfc per annum.

The American troops in France needed, meat constantly, and nearly all the coal deliveries on the railways had been suspended in order to divert shipments to Italy.

The straits of the Germans were.worse than ours, but during July we "were unable to fulfil our obligations to the Allies and neutrals.

Tho July output was 15,700,000 tons, representing a decrease of 3:300,000 tons eompored with 1917, but July could not be compared with the normal times, because 50 per cent, of the miners : n June and July were absent a week owing to influenza.

Mr. Caulthrop read messages from Admiral Beattv, Sir Douglas Haig, and M, Clemenceau, urging tliat an adequate supply of coal was vital to the Allies' cause.

General Foch telegraphed:—"Coal is the key to victory. Miners of Britain, help us!"—Am.-N.Z. Cable Assoc.

RESTRICTED PASSENGER TRAIN SERVICE.

Received August 22, S.lO p.m.

London, August 21. With a view to economising coal, there will be further drastic reductions in' passenger trains after October, reaching 50 per cent, in the case of holiday resorts.— Press Assoc.

I STRIKE OP WELSH- RAILWAYMEN. London, August JU. Swansea Harbor Trust railwayman have struck owing to dissatisfaction with the Government wages award, and work at the port is at a standstill. Many factories are threatened with having to close, owing to the shortage of coal and raw materials.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assoc.

THE BUS STRIKE,

A FURTHER CONFERENCE. London, August, 20. TJiere are 17,000 strikers now in London including 300 tube conductresses.— Press Assoc.

A joint national conference of the tram, and other vehicle workers, also the dockers and general workers, passed a resolution, demanding immediate nation-wide recognition of the principle of equal pay for equal work, otherwise the workers will take immediate drastic action.—Aus.-N.Z, Cable Assoc. Received August 22, 5.25 p.m. London, August 21. Following on the bus' strike confpr* ence, telegrams were sent to various provincial unions requesting the delegates to attend the adjourned conference, at which a report would be given at the interview with Sir George Askwith.—Press Assoc.

MATTER REFERRED TO COMMITTEE

Received August 22, 8.10 p.m. .London, August 21. The vehicle workers at the strike conference agreed that the question shonld be referred to the Committee on production. It is hoped that the services will be resumed on Friday.—Press Assoc.

A SETTLEMBXT REACHED. Reached Aug. 33, 12.20 a.m. London, Aug. 22. The unions concerned in the ibus and tram strike have reached an approximate settlement alter nearly 'five hours' conference with Sir George Askwith, and agreed on terms. The executive committee endorsed (the terms, which will he submitted to a mass meeting of the strikers to-dav.

The terms include the resumption of work pending reference on the claim thai an equal total payment be made to women as to men for equal work. Tho committee's award will be issued as speedily as possible.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. i

PRESSMEN VISIT CLYDE WORKS. Received August 22, 8.10 p.m. London, August 21. The Australian, New Zealand, and South African press delegations visited the Clyde and inspected tho Fairfield Yards.—Press Assoc.

A TRIBUTE TO MASSEY AND WARD. Reeived August 22, 8.10 p.m. London, August 21. The Daily Telegraph, in a leader on the loyalty of the Maoris and their part in the war, adds that both Mr, Massey and Sir Joseph Ward have won the esteem and confidence of this country by their manly, straightforward, and typically British, attitude.—Press Assoc.