THE COAL SHORTAGE

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 230, 23 June 1919, Page 4

THE COAL SHORTAGE

PLAIN SPEAKING BY ACTINGPRIME MINISTER. By TeleeraDh-Presß Aisociatton. Christchurch, June 21. Headed by.the Mayor, members of the Christchurcli Coal, Committee approached Sir James Allen to-day in the hope of securing Government assistance in bring, ing an Australian vessel over for the Greymouth-Lyttelton coal trade. The reply was that the whole Dominion was short of coal and no one city could be allowed a full supply to the detriment of other parts. Sir James Allen said he wanted to tell them that, ship or no, ship, Christchurch could get only its share of. coal. The whole Dominion had to be, considered, and not Christchurub. alone. "You will get your ehare," said the Minister, "but no more thaji your share, because others -are suffering just as you are." If Christchurch secured shipping and brought coal around from the coast it would be the duty of the Hon. Mr. Jfyere, who was in charge of the coal supply of the Dominion, to see that Christchurch was entitled to what it was getting, and if not to 6top its supply, because 'Auckland, Wellington, and Dunedin were also suffering. Councillor Sullivan asked if the gre- , sence of an electric supply in, Christchurch had been taken into consideration when this, city was being 'allotted ite share of coal. , The Minister replied that in regard to coal for domestic purposes he did not think that it had, but he wouli pass the query along to the Hon. Mr. Myers. In regard to alleged profiteering in connection with coal, Sir James Allen asked the deputation to withhold judgment until they eiiw the Board of Trades report. Sir James Allen mentioned that at present the Government was doing all that was humanly possible-to get coal from America (Newport News). Telegram after telegram had gone to the Imperial Government urging it to fill up with coal every bit of space on steamers coming through the Panama Canal. A great deal had come to New Zealand, and a further shipment of 5000 tons had been advised by cablegram just the other day. That coal was bound to be dear. The freight on the shipment would bo .£2 per ton, but when they had a shortage like this he was afraid that they must pay.