COAL SITUATION

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 228, 20 June 1919, Page 8

COAL SITUATION

BUNKERING REQUIREMENTS

DIFFICULTIES OF SUPPLY

A conference was held yesterday between the Hon. Arthur Myers, Minister in charge of coal distribution, and members of the Overseas Shipping Committee, New Zealand Federated Shipowners' Association, and Wellington C"al Trade Committee, in connection with the present acute shortage of coal supplies in tho Dominion.

The Minister drew attention to the imperative need of further efforts being made by the various shipping interests to secureadditional vessels to bring coal from_ Newcastle or other sources to New Zealand. Also for overseas steamers to arrange to obtain sufficient bunker coal at last coaling po-t to enable theih not only to provide for their requirements en route to New Zealand, hut also after dischargo to enable tlcm to proceed outwards to the first coaling pert of cull.

Mr. Myers also invited the local Shipowners' Association to consider the question of niiiking available any of the steamers controlled by them for the purpose of bringing 'coal from Newcastle. It was pointed out by the Minister that if the necessity arose it was nuite possible that representations would have to bo made to the shipowners to utilise oversea steamers arriving here to proceed to Australia for one or more cargoes of Australian coal, in order to provide their own bunker supplies, and to relp relieve the existing shortage here. He quite appreciated the urgency of lifting frozen produce with all possible dispatch in view of the congested condition of the works throughout the Dominion and the shortaee of foodstuffs in the United Kingdom, but it would bo fully recognised that without adequate coal supplies transport arrangements would be seriously affected. He was of opinion that this aspect of the question had not been fully recognised! by those interested. In conclusion, ho expressed his appreciation of the co-operation of the Overseas Committee in tho direction of arranging steamers to lift cargoes of coal *voin Australian and American ports, but strongly urged that tho time had now arrived when increased efforts should bo made in order to maintain existing services and to prevent industrial dislocation. Mr. James Findlay, chairman of _ tl-f Overseas Shinping Committee, outlined the position from the overseas shipping point of view, and was supported _ by Messrs. Bullock and Bcauchamp. They fully realised -the gravity of tho ritimtion, and would be prepared to co-oper-ate fully with the Minister and his Department. Captain Potersen, representing tue local owners' federation, in presenting tho views of his ■ federation, heartily congratulated tho Minister on the nanner in which the work of coal distribution had heen conducted, which had given his association entire satisfaction, and expressed the hope that should any further curtailing of coal supplies be found necessary! the same enuitable distnoution would' bo maintained as in the past With reference., to Die suggestion nut forward by the Minister that certain small vessels now emnloycd in tfew Zealand waters be utilised to carry coal from Newcastle, his association had gone, carefully into this matter, and had come to the'conclusinn that the very limited carrying capacity of the steamers and the amount of coal consumed'on the voyage, rendered the proposal impracticable. Mr. Collins, on behal f of the' Wellington Coal Trade Committee, stated that «hotild the' position warrant it. his committee wero of the opinion that some' improvement would be effected by changing the route of ovorsea steamers so as to admit of all bunkering supplies being obtained on route to New Zealand, thereby ccnserving local, supplies. He also suggested that certain steamers now engaged on the New Zealand West Coast trade nvteht. by mutual arrangement, be wade available for the carriage of coal from Newcastle, such vessels to bo replaced by the vessels at present employed m coastal trade. > .