COAL SHORTAGE.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16433, 29 January 1919, Page 7

COAL SHORTAGE.

STATEMENT BY THE MINISTER OF MINES. The Minister of Mines, the Hon. "W. p. S. MaeDonald, was asked by a ropresentativo of "Tho Press" yesterday what the prospects were of greater supplies of coal being available. ".So far as increased output is concerned," Mr MaeDonald replied, "it should be helped by the return of the large number of minors at present at the front. As to supplies from Australia they will depend largely upon w r ™y t dimensions the epidemic assumes. Ino Minister of Munitions, the Minister or Railways, and myself, are keeping m touch with tho position throughout the "Dominion, especially with respect to the quantity of coal require/! to maintain the industries of tho Dominion, and wo are using every endeavour to arrive at means whereby tho Dominion's industries can be maintained in tho meantime. The matter has been difficult for the last two years—very difficult. Last winter shipping was held up to such nn extent that tho miners were onlv putting in eight days per fortnicht. During the past two montns there has been plenty of shipping available, but what between the epidemic unfortunately a number of minors succumbed—and the holidays, there was nnlv a vorv small output. The men are not yet all back to work, but the balk of them have started."