COAL CRISIS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10283, 19 May 1919, Page 4

COAL CRISIS

DECREASING NEW ZEALAND OUTPUT.

Tlie Hon. A. Myers, Minister in charge of coal distribution, interviewed on Saturday by a representative of this paper regarding present supplies of coal, stated that he had now to hand a return showing the outputs and, importations for the first four months of {his year, as compared with those for the similar period of 1918. “The outstanding features of the returns,” said Mr Myers, “are that tile combined outputs and importations show a decrease for the period of 4761 tons, the figures being 671,545 tons, against 666,784 tons. Taking the importations separately, however, an increase of 52,578 tons is shown, the figures being' 74,011 and 126,589 tons respectively. “The output for the New Zealand mines for the same period has decreased by 57,339 tons, the figures in this connection being 597,534 tons, as .against 540,195 tons. The most unsatisfactory foature is the falling output of the •Vest Coast mines. Taking the month of April, 1919, as compared with April of last year, a falling off of 24,496-tons has occurred; so that, as far as the West Coast’ mines are concerned, we are drifting from bad to worse. “It is obvious, therefore,” concluded Mr Myers, “that hod it not fyeen for the relatively large increases .’in. importations for the four months of tills rear, and the valuable assistance ran-, dr-red to me by tlbe various coal trade committees throughout the Dominion, in connection with the equitable allocation of the available supplies, a serious position, as far as industries and public services are concerned, would undoubtedly have been readied.”