COAL STILL SHORT

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 261, 31 July 1919, Page 5

COAL STILL SHORT

RAILWAY POSITION

GOODS OR PASSENGERS?

No hope of an immediate relaxation of tho restrictions on the carriage of goods by, rail was given by the General Manager of Railways when he spoke to a reporter on the subject ..last evening. "Before we can do very much in removing the restrictions,'*, said Mr. JTVilly, "wo must be able to get a considerable quantity of coal, say, 15,000 or 20,000 tons of coal a week for six or seven weeks, and then have a regular supply in sight for some time ahead. One of the difficulties at present is that our coal is dribbling in slowly, and very frequently the amount arriving is not equal to consumption. Until coal can be obtained in considerable quantities and regularly'for a few wekes, there is very little chanco of our. doing very much. Wo are hopeful that the people will accept the invitation that has been extend, ed to them to stay at home, in order that we may carry more goods. If it is found that the people do not accept our invitation, tho Department will be forced to take more drastic measures. Wo shall have to restrict the number of carriages to be put on trains. We cannot go on carrying unessential passenger traffic because the haulage is needed for the carriage of goods which are necessary to keep the industries of the country going, and so to keop a large number of men in employment"