DEPLORABLE & DISASTROUS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 263, 26 July 1918, Page 4

DEPLORABLE & DISASTROUS

WELLINGTON'S COAL SHORTAGE. "Can you give nny reason why coal is very short in Wellington at tho present time?" Councillor It. A. Wright asked tho Mayor during last evening's meeting of tho City Council. "It is said that wo aro not getting (he coal from tho north ns wo used to." The Mayor: I know that (he Huntly mines used to Bupply coal a good distance down this way, but whether I liu shortage is duo lo a stoppage there I cannot say. Of course, come of tho boats havo been bar-bound on tho West Coast. A councillor: For weeks. The Mayor: I think it is up to mo to jo and see the Government, and then mnko a public statement. I will do that. *1 say that it is a deplorable and disastrous thing that in a country like this where we have coal supplies and tho miners are exempt from military service v;o should be 60 short, of coal—that tlm poor, tho old, the young, and the sick should go without fuel. Councillor Wright said that figures published showed the Wellington shortago to bo one thousand tons a month, and that quantity was insufficient to cause all the trouble that was at present being exnerienced in tho city. Councillor J. E. Fitzgerald: Is it not a fact that tho Railway Department held very large stocks of coal in tV North Island—unnecessarily large stocks? A councillor: I would hardly blame tho Department for that.

Councillor Fitraerald: But if it is hoarding it something should bo done.