LACK OF COAL

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 18, 16 October 1943, Page 4

LACK OF COAL

Organization Of Wood Supply Suggested

TROUBLES OF DEALERS Stating that Wellington coal retailers were iu a desperate position because of lack of stocks, Mr. W. J. Mountjoy, secrotary of the Wellington Coal Merchants and Dealers’ Association, suggested' yesterday that the Government arrange for the supply of firewood to towns and cities. , , Mr. Mountjoy said that he had received numerous complaints from householders about the difficulty in obtaining coal. Retailers were in a desperate position because they were forced, under the Control of Prices Emergency Regulations, 1939, to sell coal at the same price as was charged on September 1, 1939. Even with plentiful supplies of coal the position would be a difficult one for the coal retailers, but, because of the shortages that existed the dealers were having a tough time —in fact, a number of dealers had given up, and others were contemplating giving up business. During this year conditions had been worse than ever, in that coal had been in short supply. At present practically no stocks were held; orders were considerably behind, and it was understood that the State coal depot had been able to supply orders only up to September 10. and that some other dealers had been able to supply orders only up to August 25- ... “The prospect for the future is not very bright,” said Mr. Mountjoy. “It is expected that there will be approximately 400 to 500 tons of coal, available early next week for distribution among the various coal retailers. This will amount to approximately one load of coal for each dealer, which is not nearly suf ; ficient to allow of one hundredweight ot coal being supplied to each householder who .may be in need thereof. “The position appears to be somewhat the same, if not worse, in Australia and other parts of the world,” he added. 'The Government should take steps to see, if coal were not available, that sufficient wood supplies were brought to towns and cities, and he suggested that there were ample supplies of wood going to waste on hillsides/in the country which could be procured if the necessary labour were regimented or made available, if not from any other source, then through the respective . military camps and their transport facilities. “We should not overlook the fact that we are living under war conditions,” Mr. Mountjoy said in conclusion, “and the Army would be serving a good purpose if it could help to supply'the needs of the civilian populatiou in such a case as this.”