COAL FROM NEWCASTLE

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 118, 16 February 1928, Page 8

COAL FROM NEWCASTLE

AND UNEMPLOYMENT RELIEF Dominion Special Service. Auckland, February 15. “Every consideration is given in placing contracts to the utilisation of Dominion ships and crews, bnt where competitive prices are invited for Government supplies consideration must be given to the lowest tenderers.” This reply was received in Auckland from the Prime Minister in response to a joint protest from the Seamen’s Union, the Merchant Service Guild, and the Marine Engineers’ Institute at the Government’s action in letting a contract to an Australian shipping company for the carriage of Newcastle coal to New Zealand. In making the protest the organisations mentioned said it was understood that 150,000 tons of coal were to fee shipped, but Mr. Coates states that the quantity in this instance is only half the amount mentioned. The destinations are North Island main ports. A reply to this message was telegraphed from Auckland to-day. In this it was suggested that in view of the present widespread unemployment the Government’s chief consideration should be to provide work for New Zealand citizens. “The contract,” it was pointed out in the telegram, “would employ four ships and 150 men for nearly four months at a cost of the difference between tenders. Moreover the money for repairs and supplies for such ships would remain in the Dominion.”