COAL SHORTAGE AND ITS CAUSES

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 246, 11 July 1919, Page 8

COAL SHORTAGE AND ITS CAUSES

Sir,—Your correspondent "Pro Bono Publico" is as much'out of date in his information as" he is in his pen name. Has he heard of the Board'of. Trade re<port on the coal industry? Hns he read Ihe official figures showing that the colliers have not been going slow as alleged time and again, contrary to fact? Where does lie live, and how does he get his information? lie appears to lie'a relic of the Mid-Victorian epoch. If the lawabiding people ribe and make their weight'felt, as our friend "P.8.P." suggests, perhaps they will gel the Government to do something lo sret the coal needful to carry on the work of the community, and,lo keep tile'railways going. As for not wanting Australian colliers here, it is hardly necessary for "P.8.P." to trouble 1 is head about that. The coal-getters of Australia are not likely to better their condition by coming liere. "Mr. P. B. Publico" says the people. want coal, and will see that they get it. Well, then, let Iho people—the lew-abiding, righ't-thinking people—take on the job, and see what they can make of it. Any fcol can get coal, of course, and the job is a really delightful one—a pleasant pastime, in fact. In a few years a man can save enough (0 retire on, or' at least to buy a pub. Why not take it on vourself, "M. Publico"? You would tllcii be able to speik trom knowledge, and not out of the depths of your ignorance on the subject.—T am, etc., ■ JOI'IN CJ'LOi;till.i,lN, President Denniston Miners' Union.