THE COAL POSITION

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 92, 13 January 1920, Page 6

THE COAL POSITION

♦ • y : ACUTE SHORTAGE STRICT ECONOMY URGED In view of tho existing: acute shejtago of coal supplies I'or domestic .requirements in "Wellington city and suburbs inquiries wero mado of the Wellington . Coal'' Trade Committee yesterday with a view qf -ascertaining the actual position of coai in port and in. sight. It appear.;' that only two steamers, the, Kaliika and Komata, have arrived here since-tho holiday period, bringing Borne ■100(1 ton's. On account of the mines closing down for the holiday period and 110 coal having arrived in Wellington for industrial purposes for about a fortnight, gas works, industries, and public seizes.;were '.down to bedrpek for sup- ' plies; consequently, the shipments which ■ arrived by the luilnka and Komata were readily .absorbed as follow:— Shipping 2099 • ! ; Gas 515 Electric light, tramway, and drainage 691 Industries 973 Total 4231 It has to bo pointed out, 'however, that of the above quantity, only .279 tons was screened coal and suitable for household purposes. Unfortunately, owing to the diminished output due to the "go-slow" policy, no industry has stocks of any kind whatever, but all industries are entirely dependent on the shipments from the West Coast arriving regularly. , From a knowledge of tho conditions prevailing, the committee is of the. opinion that very little (if any) coal can be made available for household use except ' at the expense of essential industries, the curtailment of which would lead to unemployment and consequent distress. The committee, however, is carefully watching the position, and states that 110 effort will bo spared to effect an improvement, but it would strongly urge thtf public to exercise the strictest economy m the consumption of coal bj using wood and coko to the fullest possible extent. VISIT FKOII PRIME MINISTEII URGED. Bx Tal«ar»Bli—Prots Association. - Westport, January 12. At a crowded public meeting held in the Town Hall to-night, the following resolution was carried: "That this public meeting of citizens of Westport and district strongly urges upon the Right Son. W. E. Massey, Prime Minister, the need '• for his visiting the district immediately in order to go into tho question of the shortage in the output of coal, and Harbour Board matters." , It was pointed out that it was a Dominion matter, and unless something was dono the shortage of supplies was going to bo more acute than last year. Great interest was taken in the meeting, and tho unanimous feeling was that a visit from the head of th» Govern-ment-would be beneficial. By visiting the district,. the Prime Minister would be able, to go into tho whole question, Bte thq conditions for himself, and get first-hand, information. On two-previous occasions when the head of the Government visited hero on mining matters, good results were tho outcome. Mention was inado of thelPrinio Minister's time being fully occupied, but the' i meeting stressed that tho supply of coal was a Dominion consideration, and one that tho Government should take up immediately. A CHANGE POSSIBLE. The situation in the now long tin- < 6ottlod dispute between tho coal miners ' and the ' owners of tho coal mines has 1 not changed, and until it does change in ' some way it will not be possible for tho 1 Government to intervene in - any way. ( The subject is one that has not been 1 out of mind for one day for many 1 months past. It is possible, indeed prob- 1 able, that there will be some change in ' the situation, within a few days, and that the',. Result 'itiay lie a settlement, or at ! least an' improvement, in tho relations ; 'between tho parties, or, on the other " hahd,.ia distinct break. No action will ( be taken by tho Government meantime,