DISCONTENTED COALMINERS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2251, 24 July 1908, Page 2

DISCONTENTED COALMINERS.

GENERAL STRIKE PREDICTED. FIRMS LAYING IN COAL STOCKS [Press Association.] WANGANUI, July 23. A southern eommerical man, oil a visit to Wangauni, informs the “Herald” that he had every reason to believe a big strike, more or: less of a general character, was being engineered among the coal miners.- “If their plans do not miscarry,” he remarked, “I have good authority for saying that the Ist of August iVfixed as the date, and most of the South Island miners, and probably many inthe North, will come out.” Government, .as well as eommerical firms, are anticipating something of the sort, he added, for they are placing very large orders both "in New Zealand 1 and Australia for immediate delivery. AUCKLAND, July 23. Inquiries in Auckland tend to support the prediction of a coal strike in August. As a matter of fact, large Auckland firms have been getting in heavy supplies to provide against emergency.

CHRISTCHURCH, July 23. About a month ago a conference was held between the representatives ' of the Blackball Miners’ Union an-d .of the Company, relative to the demand for. an increase in wages and other concessions which were being asked for by the Union. The Union representatives then intimated that if the demands were not granted the matter would’be referred to the Miners’ Federation of New Zealand, andthat body would approach the Company in support of the demands. The miners said that they would not go to the Arbitration Court to decide the matter, but to the Federation, and l that if the demands were not granted a strike would probably follow. DUNEDIN, July 23. The suggestion that a coal' miners-" strike is meditated is characterised hv Mr. A. Forbes, secretary of the Otago Coal Miners’. Association, as a ridiculous rumor. He said that- in the course of his business he had every opportunity to know whether there was any organised preparation for a big strike or not. There had been n 0 communication between the Otago Union and any other Coal Miners’ Union on- such a question. As regards the local miners’ disputes, Mr. Forbes states that arrangements have been made for conferences between the employers and the miners next . week. It is confidently expected by the parties that an amicable settlement will be effected. So far as the Otago employers and the coal merchants are concerned, they have had no instruction of a general strike impending. They consider the rumor as the outcome of imagination-. WELLINGTON, July 23. / In reference to the rumors of a probable strike of coal miners, the A\ estport Coal Company state they knownothing at all -about such a feeling existing, nor of firms laying in large stocks of coal against some such emergency as suggested in the telegrams. -From .another source, however, comes information that ever since the Blackball strike there has been uneasiness among miners generally. Further, it is stated that tho - Government railways have been buying up all the*coal they cau obtain, and’ have had to go out the Dominion for an order of 10,000 tons of Newcastle coal. It is stated a repeat order of the same quantity is -contemplated, and that there is also an unusual demand for coal from other quarters.

[Special to “Times.”] WELLINGTON, July 23. In reference to the statements made as to the probability of a coal miners’ strike that will affect Otago and probably the Auckland mines, the “Post” is informed--that ever since the Blackball strike there has, been uneasiness amongst miners generally, and that the Government Railway Department has been buying up ail the coal it can obtain. It"is even stated that the Department has had to go out of the Dominion for Newcastle coal, ten thousand tons of which have been ordered. It is also stated that a repeat order for the same quantity is contemplated. It is further stateil that there is an unusual demand for coal from other quarters. Ministers whom I have seen this evening have no definite information to give, though they are aware that there has been disoontcnt amongst the miners for some time past. Sir Joseph Ward informed me that the Railway Department is in a strong position in regard to coal. They have on hand stocks that will keep them going for four months. One member interested m the coal trade informed me that trouble hud been brewing, for hohio "'A IO past, and* if .the .Arbitration ll Act did not take up the consideration of urn miners grievances at its present sitting he would lot be surprised to •see. a-.strike in t /vration. A Southern labor member, oil being seen on t’ o subject, stated that the trouble had been brewing for a long tunc. .! he.men were Uokin< r an improvement in v tgcs and condit.ons. The Court had just sent them back to the employers for a conference, and if the result- of the conference was not satisfactory, the men ■ desired that the ease should be heard by tlie Court at present sitting other\wse it could not. be heard- perhaps for months It they did not got satisfaction m this respect, it was uot imt they would resort to a Mr. Colvin. M.P. for Buller, states that m Ins opinion thero is no intention to strike on the part of tho aimers Union in liis district.