COAL NEEDS OF FRANCE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3019, 6 April 1926, Page 1

COAL NEEDS OF FRANCE.

BRITISH TRADE DIMINISHED,

WATER POWER DEVELOPMENT,

The technical journal Engineering says that one of France’s serious industrial handicaps has ' been a shortage of potential motive power. In the case of coal, this shortage was physical; but, in the case of water power, has been rather due to lack of development. In 1913 France—not, of course, including Alsace-Loyraine— consumed 64 million tons of coal. Of this nearly 41 million tons were produced in the country. Alsace-lorraine, though a producer, is (relatively a greater consumer,' and the total consumption for the whole area for 1924 is set at 75 million tons, AlsaceLorraine/production being placed at 5 i million tons. The difference of about 29 million tons between total production and total’ consumption was made up by importations, in which Great Britain. shared to the extent of 11.4 million tons in 1913.

The present rapid industrial expansion in France does not necessarily involve a greater consumption of coal, for the use of oil and of water as sources of power is rapidly extending. Again, the collieries damaged by war are being restarted under greatly improved conditions, and though all are not yet in full operation it is evident that their output has been considerably increased and is capable of still further expansion. It would seem possible that the national output can be raised, if desired, by from 8 to 10 million tons over the 1913 figure; certainly, under normal conditions a further 5 million tons are obtainable. It is thus very doubtful whether the British imports of that year will he exceeded in the future, even if they be maintained. In this connection it may be noted that in the first six months of 1925 these imports amounted to only 5 million tons. The effect of France’s increased home production has additional force because of the decreased demand due to recent developments. Of these, examples may be found in the spread of electrification on the French railways. The Midi Railway has already about (130 miles of line under hydro-electric power and in the near 1 future the Paris-Orleans Railway will be opening water-power stations which will dispense with the use of coal for two busy stretches totalling nearly 600 miles. The mines, especially those damaged during the war, have been equipped in the most modern and j effective manner, including improved j plant capable of a more rapid pro- j ductioii of patent fuels, coke and j by-products. With the increase in the area in which metalurgical industries are carried on, coke has become a more important factor. In 1924 5.4 million tons of coke were imported, as compared with 3 million tons in 1913, in spite of developing home production Great Britain provided 53,000 tons of this, and the first six months of 1925 show a decline, the contribution for that period being only 19,800 tons.