COAL CRISIS.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 August 1920, Page 5

COAL CRISIS.

A SERIOUS OUTLOOK. FEAR OF A STRIKE. SUPPLY GETTING SMALLER. (By Wire.—Parliamentary Reporter.) Wellington, Last Night. The coal dispute continues to be serious. Definite information hag reached Weibngton that the coal miners intend to stop work if their demands are not conceded quickly. They are going slow in the meantime, and the Dominion's insufficient supply of coal is being further reduced. The points in dispute represent merely a small sum of money, but the mine owners refuse to be coerced, and the miners refuse to accept arbitration. That is the position this evening. Mr. P. Hally, who has been investigating the disputes in the South Island as Con<wliation Commissioner, is expected to return to Welii.igton to-mor-w'" re P ort to the Government, end is likely to- suggest terms of settlement for the Taratu and Green Island disputes. The mine owners will be'prepared to accept his recommendations whatever they may be. The officers of the Miners? Federation indicate that ' they will be content with nothing less than they have demanded. The secretary of the Miners' Federation stated to-day that his organisation hail been prepared some time ago tc accept Air. Hallv's mediation. This is' not ,-juite correct.. The Federation demanded that thn Conciliation Commissioner should accept as a basis °.ertain propositions that the-, miwwnvners did not consider to be fair. The parties have not been able, at any stage, to agien to straight-out conciliation or arbitration. There is some ground for believing that, the mine owners, as well as the miners, would rather have a strike and a swift decision than another prolonged spell of "go slow." It i< considered that a strike could not extend over any lengthy period. SETTLEMENT PROSPECTS. CONSID.ERF.D~TO BE GOOD. By Yeleffraph.—Press Association Dunedin, Last Night. Mr. P. Hally, a. member of the Board of Trade; has now completed his investigations concerning the coal mining disputes at Green Island, Taratu, and Mataura. The mine owners have agreed to accept Mr, Rally's decision on the merits of the dispute, and he leaves l\v the express train for the north tomorrow in order to confer with representatives of the Miners' Federation, Asked as to tho prospects of a settlement, Mr. Hally said: "I will risk this prophecy. I think the prospects of a settlement are good." MORiyMPORTS WANTED. BUSINESS MEN'S SUGGESTION. . Wellington, .Last Night. The Wellington Chamber of Commerce to-day decided that in view of the serious position recently disclosed regarding the coal snpplies of the Dominion, vhe Oovernment be urged to send a delegation to Australia to inquire into the coal situation and endeavour to make satisfactory arrangements with the coal mine owners for a regular supply of Australian coal for New Zealand. THE STATE MINERS. A STOP-WORK MEETING. Greymouth, Last Nig'nt. The State Miners' Union stop work meeting to-day pss-cd a resolution delegating full power to the executive of the Miners' Federation to deal with the .present dispute. POSITION IN NEW PLYMOUTH. STOCKS DEPLETED. SHIPMENT DUE TO-MORROW. "The position in regard to coal supplies in New Plymouth is fairly aqute," stated Mr. A. L. Humphries, JTew Plymouth representative of the Coal Committee, last night. • Mr. Humphries pointed* out that an urgent fulfilment of the demand was necessary, local stocks being considerably depleted, and the securing of consignments was especially desirable in view of the trouble at the mines. The Kittawa was to leave Westport for New Plymouth at midnight last night with 1440 tons, and is due here to-morrow. . It i 3 understood that most of the shipment will be available for public consumption. Although a Japanese vessel, the Astua Maru, is to arrive on the same day with 3000 tons, this consignment, it should be kept in mind, is for the Railway Department, so that no relief as regards eoal for household ÜBe will be forthcoming from this shipment.