GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 June 1918, Page 1

GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES.

THE COAL SHORTAGE. STATEMENT BY THE MINISTER. WELLINGTON, May 29. The Hon. A. M. Myers, Minister in Charge of Munitions and Supplies, when approached with regard to the activities of his Department, stated that contracts were now current for most of the bulk of lines required and these contracts were being satisfactorily handled by the parties concerned. People familiar with the markets for merchandise under existing conditions would no doubt appreciate that his Department was experiencing the difficulties which now confronted those who were/ engaged in purchasing suitable articles at reasonable prices. However, the business organisation which had been set up enabled the Minister and his advisers to take advantage of every opportunity which opened before the Department. Up to date, business approximating four millions sterling had been conducted by the Department in the direction of obtaining supplies for military purposes. With regard to requirements for the calendar year .1918, the position was as follows Cabinet authorised an expenditure of £1,300,000. Of this sum, business to the value of £682,064 had been placed, made up as follows: —A nek land, £129,142; Wellington, £290.078; Canterbury, 0110,683;- Otago, Cl 40,101.

As regards the coal position, Mr. Mvers stated that although lie was faced this year with a somewhat reduced amount of hard coal being'available, fortunately the lignite output had eased the position, the circumstances being such as to find ready market for lignite supplies, and consequently the trade committees lie had set up in the chief centres had been, able in many localities to divert hard coal hitherto used by householders, lor steam raising purposes. “It will he realised.” Mr Mygrs added, “that in normal times the.'output of hard coal in New Zealand has hover been sufficient to meet the full demands of the Dominion. For instance. in 1910 we had available 1,716,000 tons of hard coal. This was made up of 1,422,000 tons of New Zealand (West Coast) coal, and 294,000 tons of Newcastle coal. In .1917 wo had available 1,383,000 tons of hard coal, which was made up. of 1,121.000 tons of New Zealand (West Coast) coal, and 204.000 tons. .... Newcastle coal. From this it will ho gathered that the amount of hard available has receded by 330,000 tons, which is equivalent to a shortage of 23 per cent, for 1917, as against 1916. As regards stocks held, figures collected by the Government Statistician indicate the following position, which speaks, for itself, and should reveal to tlioso interested the necessity which exists'for everyone concerned exercising the strictest economy in the use of hard coal as fuel :-=—

Tons. ulv 21st, 1917 216,987 October 31st, 1917,..,,..:., 191,249 ' .Li nil ary- 31 st • A 918........... 178,192 April 30th; 1918 ' 151,806 “Although tlie Department has naturally many difficulties to overcome in carrying out directions concerning the distribution of coal supplies, it is satis, factory to state that practically no complaints have been made which have not been 'adjusted, 'thus indicating, that those affected are accepting the situation in a patriotic spirit. “As regards priority permits, the Department has to date dealt with 6,300 applications, involving orders to the value of £2,974,150. At the present time there are 26 orders ready for certification. and 39 orders under consideration.”

The. Minister added that the prolongation of the war naturally created conditions under which it was difficult, for the Department to make successful representations with regard to all matters which had been brought before the Minister, but having regard to the extraordinary conditions, lie was pleased to state tliat on the whole very satisfactory results so far had been achieved. '• .

At the moment important communications were being exchanged Ik s tween the Imperial authorities -and the. New Zealand Government with regard to the trade between the United States of America and the Dominion. Negotiations had . not yet been completed, hut the Minister hoped to be able at an early date to make some announcement on the subject.