SPECIAL COMMITTEE ISSUES ORDERS

Rotorua Morning Post, Issue 5328, 14 February 1947, Page 5

SPECIAL COMMITTEE ISSUES ORDERS

(l'fr. As.Vl-

SWEEPIN'G MEASURES movement of coal an ABSOLUTE PRIORITY

-Rcc. 9.30 i i.mj x

LONDON, Feb. 13. The Prime Minister, Mr. Attlee, presided 'at a special Cabinet meeting at which doci.-ions relating to the fuel crisis were taken, affecting everybody in the United Kingdom. Mr. Attlee emphasised ihat production and movement of coal to meet the emergency musl he regarded by all con- j cemed as an absolute priority f and "Ihe effort to overcome ] (he crisis must be planned and operated with the same speed and urgency as militarv operations during the war."

A -tateincnt from No. 10 Downing Streft announced a number of '-('w decisions, including fme oi' imprisonment fcr any .infrinut'iiu'iit of the nation-wide restrietioii.-- >u the use of electricity for (lomstic purposes. Reuter undoistiiiid.-i that the penalties may rang'i' up i«> a fine of £100 or three month.-' imprisonment, but the maxiimim mav possibly be double these pmmlties. Tlio luov decisions came from the first nwflna of a special emergency committre which the Prime Minister, lli. At'K'c. has set up. The committee, which is under the Prinu' Minisler's chairmanship, compiiscs Miuisters and members of the Coal IUanl, the Central Electricity Board ara railway executives. It will fn-orilii;ate aetion from day to day. The Miid^tto's on the committee are Mr. Pa1 h"i ( Exchenuer), Sir Stafford fripp- .Ihard of Trade), Mr. Shinweil i F'ud > , Mr. Barnes (Transport) aiMMi. Isaacs (Labour).

DomCf !>c consumption of electricity during the periods of restriction is prohibited under De- * fence Regulation 55. The existing restricticsis on the indus.trial use of electricity will not be extended. The consumption of any form of fuel for greyhound racing is prohibited immediately under Regulation 55. Tb committee also decided on the csnedbiion of raihvay passenger -rmVts wherever necessary to enable m\ tvahis to be run, and on all l»ssiMe steps to ensure the rapid tarn-awno: of colliers in the Thames, im-luding discharge at Londot! .|.i,l;, hich colliers do not normally ii-v, Civilian Labour Call ^ Tii"' .ll'iiistcr of Labour, after consultation wiih the trade unions, will iranie.liat.'h nrganise the supply of atlilitin!!:;! civilian labour to- help unload coal 'vng/ons. The services will co-u|«Tate in this task. The Minister of Transport will inimediat.-iy nrrange a supply of lorne.-- I.. ht-i |> unload coal from the waagon,. T!u> Minister of Fuel and Pi.wer is authorised to requisition toa! eiiat-Ie the diversion of supplits fiwii an original consignee in order i , (•nsiji'i' the rapid turn-around of waga-oiis. The Miiiisiers of Fuel and Transport atc authorised to take all steps,'Mknliiiu' .-ailing in service personnel 3n(l transp. rt. to accelerate the liftffieol'onen rast coal stocked on the ?w»nnl. Essential Industry First As so.ijj a the emergency lessens, wlaxatloii nf the industrial electricity lestrictid!;- will take priority over any (loiiiestie relaxation. The statesays: "No date when relaxation ■'industrial restriction becomes posstijle -an yet be given, but this te.axation may take place gradually." . ^c* "tiilenient savs the first meet^oft.he Ciiinmittee was held today, wn the i:U'"tin»' was advised that "0 situat i.'ii remained dangerously eWical. Savinys of ,13 per cent of e°3- consumption were secured at the P'wer stations on Monday and 3G per yestorday. • These saving's were 'isjffieient i ,, i,rjno- stocks up to- the >a'|ty mara'in. The movement of ® , both by sea and by rail was still •Cioiisly iiitcrrupted by the weather. Reuter understands that civilian ^rkevs CMiaasjted to unload coal way°°ns and l'or olher vital duties will e taken nn throu^'h the labour ex®Jiges. Xi.tices will be posted 5lns'' fbr example, that 100 men requiied at a specified place to lvDooa(1 c°al. This is expected to o-ive to many who are unemployed r®l'gh the emergency. °al merchants will not he persn e' to ^eavo domestic supplies red in railway waggons if the ?Sons are wanted elsewhere. If toCessayy the Minister will be able j" reluisition coal in order to obtain eJvaS?ons he wants. tte e.^a^T 'n an editorial saysl Cluls comes as a spur and a chal!atge to evcryone and should stimu- ® awareness of the perilously livin°W niai'"'ijis, in which Britain is k/' "®Ur uppeal is made to the am' Showers of all parties," Gov ° ^a'Kn*' especially to the who must rise above Jancours of groundlings."