RAILWAY COAL STOCKS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 265, 5 August 1919, Page 6

RAILWAY COAL STOCKS

ME. SEMPLE WANTS A PUBLIC JNQUIKY. By Telegraph— Press Association. Christchurch, August 4. Mr. R. Semple, M.P., holds to l:is figures regarding coal stocks despite Sir. M'Villy's denial, and says Jus informants were men on the spot, but bo will not give their names. "I am still convinced," Mr. Semple said to-day, "that there is no need for the present dislocation of the railway service, and that thero is not the shortage of coal which Jlr. M'Villy states thero is. My point is that the matter affects the general community, and they ought to know tho truth in connection with it. The only way to satisfy mo and a large section of the community is to agree to forthwith set up a public inquiry."

A WEST COAST EESOLUTION. . By Toioeraph—Press Association. Groymouth, August 4. The West Coast Laoour .Representation Committee, representing 2000 workers, at a meeting liere passed tlie following resolution '"That we support Mr. It. Semple, M.P., in his demands for a public inquiry as to the coal situation, as we are r>f the opinion that tho shortage as alleged by the Government, does not exist. Wo would a'.so point out that on the West Coast the Government have reserve stores, in round figures, of 3UOO tons of coal, without touching their ordinary Stocks, which also amount to a very large quantity, running well into four figures."