THE COAL INDUSTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 June 1919, Page 3

THE COAL INDUSTRY.

BOARD OP TRADE'S REPORT. (Special Correspondent.) Wellington, June 23. The Board "of Trade's report on the coal industry, which is to be made public on Wednesday, is an interesting and important document. It examines the industry closely and makes suggestions that, if adopted, will mean reorganisation of the coal trade on a new basis. But the report does not hold out promise of a solution of the immediate problem —the acute shortage of coal throughout the Dominion.' Official, warnings and requests for economy have been frequent of late, and the public may #ot have appreciated •their full significance. The position, as a matter of fact, is quite as bad as it is being painted. The whole country is short of coal. The two worst months of the winter are ahead, and the authorities controlling the distribution of coal are being driven to consider drastic measures to conserve supplies, in order that the present inadequate doles may continue to be available to householders. The miners might be able to help by making a special effort, but apparently they are not disposed to do anything of the kind. Other prospect of early relief there is none.