COAL SUPPLY

Evening Post, Volume XCVIII, Issue 39, 15 August 1919, Page 3

COAL SUPPLY

BETTER PROSPECTS. •; • A. ■■ -— . .... Speaking on the subject of the coal shortage, the Minister in Charge of the Coal Control Branch (Hon. Arthur Myers) made reference to the effect that the settlement of the Australian strike would have on the New' Zealand position. , ■ ■ • '■ ' Mr. Myers said that as far as the coal actually in sight was concerned, he had already given detailed particulars in a statement which was published on 10th August, showing that this amount was then 67,187 tons.. 'It was naturally hoped thnA this quantity would be further augmented in consequence of the settlement of the strike, and to this end he >had already communicated with the Union Steam Ship Company asking to be informed of the number of further ships which would be immediately available for despatch to Newcastle for the purpose of'loading'coal for New Zealand. ,0f course, it had to be remembered that some of the Federal States are in dare^need of coal, as well as New Zealand, and there will consequently be a big rush for loadings. It was hoped, however, that New Zealand would be able to get a fair share of the accumulated stocks at the mines awaiting shipment, and every effort would be made to lift as much as was available for the Dominion. In this connection Mr. Myers stated :■ tha.t he had already approached the Australian authorities with the object of finding out to what extent supplies for New Zealand would be affected when'shipping becomes normal on the "other side" ; but so far no reply had yet been received.