THE COAL SHORTAGE.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 July 1919, Page 5

THE COAL SHORTAGE.

STATEMENT BY ME. MYERS, PROSPECTS GREATLY IMPROVED. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. Hon. A. M. Myers, Minister in Charge of Coal Distribution, inH statement regarding the coal shortage, after outlining the activities of the Department under his control in the direction of endeavoring to import as much as possible and distributing, supplies to the best national advantage, says that during the last six months every possible effort has been made to influence the Shipping Controller to allow overseas tonnage to lift cajgoes of coal at Newport News and "Newcastle, en route to Now Zealand, and, it was gratifying to observe that those representations, wero resulting in importations being considerably increased. . Three large vessels h»d brought cargoes of American coal, and five more were now en route, making a tctal quafttity from, thin source of some 37,000 tons.

Mr. Myers said there appeared to be an impression abroad that the whole output of coal from the West Coast mines could be drawn on for railway purposes. That idea was erroneous, as the railways required screened coai for their services, which represented only, approximately, 40 per cent, of the total output, the balance of small coal being utilised for {"is-works, tramways, freezing companies, and bunkering steamers.

As far 'as the railways were" concerned, Mr. Myers said his Department had given urgent and special attentfofl to this branch of the public service r.s the following figmres disclosed: Coal dblivenes to railways during the years ended 31st Mareh, 1914 to 1919 were--1913-14, 293,157 tons; 1914-15, 306,868 tons; 1915-10, 3*4,348 tow: 1918-17 330.660 tons; IHI7-18, 271,110 tons' 1918-19, 307,369 tons. The coal deliveries to railways from January to Juno 1919, were: January 10,959 tons, February 31,105 Um, March 36,762 tons April 16,020>M, May 19,198 tons, Juno 13,950 tons, a tutel of 127,000, the average per month b«Jng 21,166 tons. The exigencies of the war had been such that shipping tonnage—local, intercolonial, and international—had been reduced to an absolute minimum, and as far a* the latter was concerned, owing to the urgent nature of the services on Which they were engaged, they could not possibly be detained to pick up supplies of coal for the Dominions' industries, but had to draw on our meagre supplies of coal to carry them back on the routes laid down by the Admiralty. The Government had repeatedly endeavored to charter vessels for coal carrying, but on account of thia extreme shortage it had not been practicable. Now that tonnage was becoming more plentiful, it had been possible to charter one vessel for one trip from Australia, and the Minister was awaiting a ropjy to a further cable despatched to the High Commissioner asking whether n suitablo tramp collier or standard stenmei could be released on time charter to the New Zealand Government,

With regard to the present position and prospects for the next six weeks, concluded Mr. iMyers, a caraful review of shipments from overseas >n sight indicates that we may expect to receive over 70,000 tons of coal if the arrangements already made materialise, together with an estimated output from the West Coast mines for July of, approximately, 75,000 tons. Of these quantities some 60,000 tons will be available for the railway services. It will thus be seen that, should not unforseen circumstances arise to interfere with the outputs and importations, trie situation will be easier than it has been for some months past.

POWER TO SEARCH FOR HOARDS. Wellington, Last Night. An amendment to the Coal Trade Regulations, issued to-day, provides that any inspector of factories, on being authorised by warrant, signed by any member of the Coal Trade Committee, may enter upon any premises with a view to discover whether coal is being hoarded in unreasonably large quantities, having regard to the shortage of supplies.