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Hokitika Guardian, 25 March 1926, Page 2

The report of the coal commission contains no surprises so far as the value of New Zealand coal for steaming purposes is concerned. The use of local coal in pre-war times and before the unsettlement of the industry by strikes and lockouts was a general practice. But the threat of organised Labor to hold up tho country by going slow or striking absolutely, forced the Government of the day to seek supplies of coal wherever they could. It was that condition of affairs which led to tho enormous importation of coal supplies from anywhere and everywhere to moot the designs of the industrialists opposed to the common weal successfully, and with tlm best resort to force. There- were some very stringent' winters for city dwellers during the period of Shortage. Coal supplies available hail to be rationed, and in many cases done without. It was the experience and difficulties of those wintry days which forced the authorities under the pressure of public opinion to secure stocks of imported coal to defy tho attitude of the Labor party Ixmt on forcing the position to their own advantage The importation of coal thus became a safeguard and the payment a premium for security. Having got tile habit it. lias been difficult to drop the practice, more particularly as some of the coal has such excellent steaming qualities. If Labor has learnt its lesson in this matter it will be safe to return to the exclusive in? ol Dominion supplies for the railways, but the obligation is on the Government to see that public interests arc safeguarded, •and That then? is not any fear of trade, industry, and transit being aga.in dislocated or jeopardised. Villi electricity coming into such general use tho demand for coal in many avenues "ill slacken and there will be a reduced demand which will lie felt by the coal producers. This will be met in part l>v the coal required for the railways if the coal miners will lie sensible in going about their daily avocation.