COAL FOR THE NAVY

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 19, 17 October 1919, Page 6

COAL FOR THE NAVY

AN IMPORTANT QUESTION.

"An important question, which demands early attention, is that of the future fuel supply .of (lie Royal Navy in Far Eastern waters," says Lord Jel'icoe in his report on nnvnl defence. "The larger ships of ihe 'Royal Australia!) Navy are. at present nil fitted to hurt' coal, with oil used as an auxiliary, and it is only necessary to point to the fa'-t that for'many week? coal-burning ships in thv Pacific have been unable to obtni." suitable coal to enmhasise the dangerous IKMitinn that would have existed had it been necessary to move ships for active service during this interval. The danger of the situation has been po'ntcd mil to Ihe Government of thp Commonwealth, hut, as war vessels in the Pacific are entirely dependent .on coal from West port, it is'obvious that the matter is one in which (he help of New 7eala.nl is necessary, and it is suggested tjmt the whole matter should bo dealt with I>e-t»-c.en the Governments of New Zealand and Australia.

"A considerable reserve of coal .is p. v'tal necessity for a Par Eastern fleet, which will comprise coal-burping vessels for, at any rate, the next fifteen years. Attention is directed to the Imperial importance of the Westport Coal Company's mines at Westport and Granity. At present the only coal in New Zealand and Australia suitable foi the Far Eastern Fleet is that provide' by mixing tire output of these two mines. It is important that adequate defensive measures should bo made jo ensure that tliie source of fuel is keptopen for the use of the Far Eastern Fleet in war time."