COAL SUPPLIES

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10280, 15 May 1919, Page 4

COAL SUPPLIES

STATEMENT BY MINISTER POSITION IN WELLINGTON SAID TO BE EASIER. REPLY TO THE MAYOR, Interviewed with reference to . tf» statement made by . the Mayor, ,published yesterday, in regard to a shortage of coal in Wellington, the Hon. Arthur Myers, Minister-in-Oharge of Coal Distribution, stated to a “Times” representative that the information furnished him by the Wellington Coal Trade Committee does not support the view expressed by Mr Luke. At present, said Mr Myers, there is more coal in dealers’ yards than there has been for a considerable time past. During the last ten days, the s.s. Waihora bas discharged for trade 1000 tons, tho Poherua 200 tons, the Karamu 300 tons, and the Canopus 300 tons, making a total of 1800 tons for domestic requirements.

“Regarding corporation services,” added the Minister, “so far as -I am aware neither of the activities of the City Council’s departments have had to be curtailed through lack. of coal, notwithstanding the fact that the electric light plant burns during the winter months nearly 100 tons per week more than it does during the summer months. Besides this, the corporation has 1000 tons of coal ex s.s. Earanga in reserve; and, despite this fact, supplies for the corporation, if available from their usual sources, will not be curtailed, the Coal Committee recognising that if possible it is necessary for the council to have a reserve against any contingencies.” • 1 CASES OP DISTRESS.

As to the cases of distress mentioned by the Mayor ,the. Ministef aid;' the Coal Trade 1 Committee regret that Mr Luke did not approach them for relief, as sufficient publicity has already been given to the fact that in all such cases every effort would be made to afford immediate relief.

At all times the public had been informed of the true position in connection with the coal shortage, said Mr Myers - , so that there was no warrant for the statemeftt - made iby Luke that there had; bSeh' ? an!r’ l iraiit ,; of confidence displayed by the Government. Regarding firewood, action had already been taken to endeavour to increase the supply, but until recently the'phortage of labour had had the effect of restricting the output considerably for domestic requirements. The matter, however, was still receiving urgent attention, and it was trusted tlpat the supples - of firewood would be considerably augmented 1 during tho winter. .* xri - sjfwd io AMERICAN ddfAE,'; K „ Speaking of the American coal which arrived by the Rnranga, the Minister stated that those dealers who had beet taking this coal into stock were finding no difficulty in disposing of it; and, notwithstanding its being unscreened, customers spoke highly of its value as a domestic -coal. _ The bulk of it, however, had been distributed for railway and., .^durtriaj^pujwses - • but supplies”.were instill .available' to dealers for "distribution tb° householders. Hie Minister having anticipated a shortage during the, coming winter, arranged for. this and other -shipments of American coal, in order to relieve the position of the Dominion generally. It had to be borne in mind that New Zealand was not alone in regard to coal shortage. Newcastle, which was looked upon as one of the largest exporters - of coal in the world, had recently curtailed all ofersda supplies''. /! The Commonwealth RbVe?nmenf,“ hadßequisitioned the hulk mf the : 'mine' - output in Australia for inter-State use; and last week, out of an output of 72.000 tons, only 10.000 tons - were available forexport. As Now Zealand alone required 50,000 tons a. month from Newcastle to supplement her own output, it would be realised that the securing of shipments from America was in the national interest, notwithstanding the high cost of the coal. Since, the Australian coal had been controlled .by. the. GoVnmonwealth Government, been advanced 2s a ton. The - Minister pointed out, however, that the question of prices charged by merchant? was not one coming under his jurisdiction. but was - controlled by the Board of Trade. DURING THE EPIDEMIC.

Referring to the statement concerning the action of the Coal Committee during the recent epidmio, Mr. Myers stated that; proof could lab shown that the committee was instrumentaV in getting discharged the steamer Kanna, with 2000 tons of Newcastle coal, entirely for the benefit of householders during that distressing period, when members of the committee waited personally upon a conference of shipowners and waterside workers, and were successful in ■ obtaining the loyal cooperation of the workers in getting the vessel discharged.

“I would like to point out, in conclusion,” said Mr Myers, ‘‘that unfortunately the total New Zealand outnut and importations last year were less than those for 1914 by over 700,000 tons. The returns already to hand for the present year also disclose the fact that, due principally to the shortage of labour, the local output is on the decline.” I