STRIKE IN THE STATE COAL MINE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2668, 25 November 1909, Page 4

STRIKE IN THE STATE COAL MINE.

STATEMENT B^ l ™# S MINISTER [Pint Pur.HH Association. 1 AVELLINGTON, Nov. 24. The Minister of Mines, in an interview with a “Post” reporter, said thecrucial point was m regard to miners trucking out from the face the Department to take charge of the trucks afterwards. This, said Mr McKenzu, represents an increased charge of 4d ner ton, amounting to about £4OOO on. fast year’s orders. '/AAe cou.dn t stand. t ” lie added, “and we proposed that the question should be settled by tlw Concililation Commissioner or the Arbitration Court, but the men refused, and we caniiot see our way to make anv further concessions. STOCKS OF COAL ON HAND. The AYeilington State coal depot holds sufficient stocks now or two or three weeks, and the s.s Poherua will " n be in with a fresh supply. The authorities can see their way clear to supply the publisc for another month. The Seddon State mine is still working, hnt the output of this mine is onhr about 5000 tons a month at present. The Point Elizabeth mine has been avcragingYbcMit 25,000 to ns a month o which "the Railway Department hasbeen taking nearly half. i ms He nartment, however, will be .able to s P tand at least four months’ siege even if all sources of-supply are stopped. SEVERAL MINES AA r ORKING. WESTPORT, Nov. 24. AVork is going along briskly at the mines at Denniston. Millerton, Ngakawan and Seddonville. At Denniston a claim was made by the men for someslight increase, but it was held over pending the arrival of Mr. Dixon, district superintendent at A\ ellington, from Australia next Thursday week. So far as'can be ascertained the inert in the district have no serious grievances. NO GREAT CAUSE FOR ANXIETY. DUNEDIN, Nov. 24. The local manager of the State coal denot says: “As the summer trade has commenced, there is not really the same cause for anxiety as if the strike had happened in the winter months. In Dunedin there is a sufficiency of coal for two months for household supply. NO INFORMATION FROM MINERS’ UNION. GREYMOUTH, Nov. 2i. The Miners’ Union has decided to o-ive no information to the press as to the meeting. Apparently there are no new- developments.