INTERVIEW WITH SIR JAMES ALLEN.

Marlborough Express, Volume LI, Issue 84, 11 April 1917, Page 8

INTERVIEW WITH SIR JAMES ALLEN.

ACTING-PREMIER HOPES MEN WILL GO BACK. WELLINGTON, April 11. Asked whether he had any statement to make ■with regard to the coal strike on the West Coast', Sir James Allan replied: ."I have nothing to say \ more than -th.it I hope the men will go j back to work. At a timo liks this, when ©very ounce of coal is required for Admiralty purposes, for transports, and to keep tho country going, it does not smv.-ly nevd an appeal to the patriotism of tl-v n:en to continue their output, and their normal output. They say they have gone onfc be.-: canst 1 of conscription and the Military Service Act, but it is difficult to see- way they should select this par-1 ticular time for that, when they have' had nn opportunity to do so for so many months j>nsfc; and I find ifc diflieulfc to accof^c tliat or tlin reason. They ha,ye apparently adopted a goslow policy, and that appears to me to be unwise, in t,hoir own int'?resi>s, as it- cevtainly'isv unwise ko foe as- the interests: of ihe (ountry and .bringing the vrar to an iind are concerned. To stop siipplie* when they aro. urgently needed doesn't/ seem to mo to bo very loyal."

"BTss tho oimo yofc oomo whon you -pan say what st-^pa ray to>ba uikon

with regard to the matter?" usked \ the reporter. < ' The only step to be taken ; I hope,'' replied Sir James Allen, "will be .that, the men w.ill go back. The Govern*- j ment does not wjmt to do anything j harsh. It is only too anxious to see tha men back at work." I