THE COAL SHORTAGE

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 97, 18 January 1919, Page 6

THE COAL SHORTAGE

: ••■ HOUSEHOIibEItSrIN- Dlffi. ■. •_;•■:. ■■.■.. . OULTIES. . •..;•-,- , .The shortage of; coat iii AVellington j» again becoming a-. sefibus/,matter .'-far householders;" The : abnormal weather is creating a demand for fuel, and many of the dealers- are far behind with their orders. . Oi:e suburban; dealer,.stated, yesterday that-he*could supply nothing but lignite slacks : Another stated that he was at least-five days behind' -with 'his ■ orders, and- -was' gettingwiirse'position cyeryillioiir. : ':'"'""''

, The . trouble.;is. accentuated liy : tlie fa.ee that very 'many people who in normal times would prdet coal by the Quarter ton or half ton/have grown siccus- ' tomed during the.last year or bo to buy-' ing a sack or-two sacks at a time. 1 They live hand to mouth in. tlie matter : of fuel, an<F are quickly, embarrassed if there is a stoppage of supplies.

Tlie Railway Department, which has been accused of taking coal'tliat.ought to go into general consumption, is very ■slwirt of- stocks at. the present time. Officers ■of the'_ Department state that; llipy are receiviii! , only their own supplies, ami. that the /deliveries nre.far too swll for rtlie needs of tlio. Detvi-t----nipiit The 'Ngaknt.l has arrived-with a full oarfro.of cocl for'the'Department, but the whole quantity is renuiretl. i> rid no 'part' ran be. released .for .ordinary co"«nn")tion. ...

.Tim Tfon'.!.*.- % Myers'aiinis'ter of Munitions and S«nnlies) st?tpd ypstersHnnl'cs of. cni\ would Ijp (lietrilnyl-i>d on a f."'r liasis -monjr PS'P'itinl indnstri»s; and .'ill nns«'Wp fionsMer."*'"'! woiil'l lie " ; ve» *o liopds of 1lOlWpllolflp.r<:. il'tlrino*"'! tli"'sott,lrniefit"' ,f +In>: trmili 1 " in Australia woul' 1 olp'pr tl>p .« - pv f— tV.fli^^(.V'nf'..s\ifliP : -"vi.'pH to '■•~< H .-vnv)- !" 11.-" > r "" : .7pabiirl.n»';«s "•"I'M nlfn. Mm a. TPstoration 'if the JIOTW-l.nAci'tJnll.