THE COAL TRADE.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 February 1917, Page 3

THE COAL TRADE.

GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS. Wellington, February 5. An Order-in-Council, gazetted to-night, contained the regulations governing the coal trade, under which the Minister in charge is empowered to require any person to give him information relative to 'the production, importation, exportation,' supply, sale, purchase, carriage, storage, use and consumption of coal in order to make adequate provision for the storage of coal required for his Majesty or for essential industries. The Minister may take possession of any coal hulk, wharf or other place deemed necessary for storage, whether the coal stored be the property of the Crown or not. The regulations extend to the State-owned mines, Government railways, transports and other vessels in the King's service, and to all Government departments and offices, in the same manner as to private industries and persons. The Minister in charge may exempt lignite coal from the requirements of these regulations. The regulations come into force forthwith. No person shall ship N or import coal without the Minister's permit. The Hon. A. M. Myers has been appointed Minister in charge, and Messrs A. H. Miles, Alexander Macintosh and George Wilson, of Wellington, have been appointed to act as members of the Coal Trade Committee to assist the Minister in the administration of the regulations.