COAL CRISIS.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 September 1920, Page 5

COAL CRISIS.

more TROUBLE AHEAD. RUMOR OS COMPLETE STOPPAGE. THREAT TO INDUSTRY. (By Wire.-—Parliamentary Reporter.) Wellington, Last Night. The coal situation is becoming -serious again, The dispute at the .northern mines is continuing, and friction is increasing on the West Coast. There is a growing impression in official circles that attempts to settle the disputes are really useless, since the leaders of the mineijs' unions appear determined to produce a fresh crop of disputes immediately the old ones are removed. The effect of this policy is to maintain the shortage of coal. There are rumors ,to-night that a, complete stoppage at the mines may occur shortly. Coal stocks are low everywhere, and reduced supplies would mean an early reduction of the railway services, as w.ell as a general dislocation of industry. WAIKATO MINES STILL IDLE. IMPORTANT PRINCIPLE INVOLVED. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. ■ The strike among Wail-a to coal* miners is still going on, and coal supplies are dwindling further every day. This morning the Hon. E. W. Alison, chairman of directors of the Tatipiri Mines, Ltd., explained the position fully. "As far as this company .is concerned, the demand of the men at Rotowaro and Pukemiro was, at the outset, definitely a demand upon the Government for a concession in regard to fares between Huntly and Rotowaro and Pukemiro," said Mr. Alison. "The company was asked to use its influence in support of the men's request, but it was never suggested that the company should pay the amount necessary to give the men the concession. they desire. The men have now found that the Government is not prepared to grant concessions, and they are seeking to change their ground, and it is reported they suggest that the companies shall pay the difference between suburban and ordinary fares,

"This is ail attempt to introduce a new and very dangerous element," added itr. Alison. "The companies have jig sort of control over train fares, tho rates of which are fixed by t!;i Railway Department alone, and it must be obvious that there can be 110 dispute with tho company in regard to the amount of these fares. If this principle is once conceded, it will mean that if workers anywhere wish to gain confessions which are in the hands of the Government alone, and the Government is unable or unwilling to concede them, the workers can at once turn, round to their employers and say: 'We can't get this from the Government; you will have to concede it.'" THE SOUTHERN DISPUTES. VIEWS OF MENS' SECRETARY. Wellington, Last Night. Mr. P. Hally, who lias been engaged adjusting the coal disputes at Gore and Mataura, has not yet returned to Wei-, lington, and it is possible that before going north to attempt to Becure a settlement there, he may visit the West Coast mii: Mr. J. Arbuckle (secretary of the Miners' Federation), who has been in the south in connection with the dispute at Gore and Mataura, returned to Wellington to-day. Mr. Arbuekle informed a reporter that the disputes at the Huntly mines had been placed in the hands of the Miners' Federation, and to-morrow probably he would enter into negotiations with Mr. Massey and the owners with a view of trying to bring about a settlement. Mr. Arbuckle stated that he had not received any official information regarding the troubles at the Blackball and the State mines, and therefore he was not in a position to make any statement with regard to them. "Outside the Huntly question things are fairly satisfactory from a national point of view, - '' added Mr. Arbuekle. "There have been a few local grievances, but outside of these the position is all right, as far as I can see." TROUBLE AT STATE MINE. Greymouth, Sept. 15. All work 1 was stopped at the State mine and development works to-day as Bn irritation strike to compel the Government to accede to demands to replace men who were dismissed owing to. the surface work being completed. The executive demanded that the dismissed men should replace men who refuse to pay the Broken Hill illegal levy. The management refused. It is understood that the strike is part of, an Organised attempt to keep down coal stocks, as a means to secure civil rights for conscientious objectors and the repeal of the war regulations. Miners have recently left the mine to work on ;i railway now being constructed by the Public Works Depart-, mcnt. A NEW OUTCROP. Greymouth, Sept. 15. A new coal find at the Dobson mines is showing splendid outcrops eight feet thick, estimated to contain 150,000 tons.' The seam discovered is a tinuation of the old Brunner. The management explains that the coal should be placed on the market within two months.