THE COAL CRISIS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 198, 16 May 1919, Page 7

THE COAL CRISIS

DISTRIBUTION CRITICISED MINISTER IN DEFENCE' A conference was held yesterday between, a large number of local retailers in the coal Irade and the Hon. Arthur Myers, Minister in charge of coal distribution. Messrs, P. Fraser, M.P., and R. Semple, M.P., were nlso present, the Minister stating that he hatl. invited them in order that they could obtain full information in connection with the present system of coal distribution. Every effort was being made to do justice to all classes of the community, and ho courted the fullest investigation on all occasions. . . Mr. -Fraser said that the' reason why he had accepted the Minister's invitation to be present at tho conference was because a large number- «/f his constituents were experiencing extreme difficultv ;in getting coal, and the kind they did gat was sometimes of a very inferior ciuajity. With regard to tho distribution of coal, he stated that he was of the opitiiou that it was not as fair as it might be. Instances had been brought under his notice where well-to-do people had recoived large supplies, and the -loorer people could not obtain any. He did not wish it to be understood that he was blaming anybody, but would like to see a fairer allocation in the future. He quite saw that it was <not an easy matter, but he thought a system could be devised that would give'general satisfaction, and at the same time safeguard the interests of the dealers. Asked by the Minister as to whether ho could give any- definite instances where well-to-do people had received prior consideration, Mr. Frneer siid that be could, but he would not like to jjive the names of the persons. . ■, Mr. Myers, in reply, fullv explained the present' System of distribution, and slated that it was the intention to melee it as operative as possible. If any favours had been given he would be c'r.d to know of them, and investigate them. He would liko to point out, however, that the , first essential was naturally to protect those industries which dealt with products of a perishable nature, ".'he Government $as in honour bound to protect the Imperial Government' meat held in store here, which had.been bought end paid for; then, of course, ;'as nnd ]ightin? and other essential industries had to receive preference. Aβ far ,as he could see, nil classes of the oommunity had suffered from, the shortage, and the solution of the difficulty was to produce more coal in the Dominion. . Mr. Semple expressed the opinion that the Government should take some direct action to deal with the root cause of the present shortage in the output. The shocking sanitary conditions existing in some of the mining .towns were having the effect of driving, miners to other spheres. He cited the case of the (own of Blackball, which, 'according to recent reports, the inhabitants were threat: ening. to abandon. If this happened, one of the largest mines'in the Dominion would have to close down. • The Minister, in reply to this, said that his colleaeue, the, Hon. W. D. S. Mac Donald. Minister of .Mines, was -down the Coast at the present time with the express purpose of investigating the matter, referred to, and would place tie position before Cabinet on' his return, together\with the Board of Trade's leport dealing especially with the prices charged for coal., Mr. Myers'intimated in conclusion, that nr cases of extreme necessity and sicknesfl, direct application could be rasde. to his officer-in-iharge, Coal Control Office, Union Co'mpanv's Buildings, *hen he could' assure them every possible effort would be made to afford immediate Telief. ,