THE COAL QUESTION.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 August 1919, Page 9

THE COAL QUESTION.

.AMERICA'S COAL SURPLUS. The American, Coal Journal, in a recent issue has the following on the subject of prospective coal exports:— It is possible that the coal industry will have a reasonably early opportunity to take advatnage of the active demand for American coal from practically all foreign markets. High Government officials, evidently spurred to action by the pubjjcity which this matter haß received, held a conference in Washington recently, and, we are told, reached the conclusion that one of the first steps to be taken to restore normal conditions to industry generally is for the Government to give a little assistance to the development of the coal industry. After a study of the situation the conclusion was obvious. Now, if the announced plan of the conference, which was participated in by men representing nine branches of the Government,, is carried out, there is hope that the foreign markets which are clamouring for our coal will be able to obtain their needed supplies and that the United States will be able to sell millions of tons to Europo and South America. America at present is the only country in a positon to supply the world with coal, but American shippers' hands have; been tied, and still arc tied, by the Shipping Board's refusal to release sufficient bottoms for this trade. One of our difficulties in the-matter of exporting coal, especially to South America, has been the matter of return cargoes. England had a great advantage there, because she could send out coal and bring back raw materials of which she and other countries in Europe used great quantities This return cargo matter, however, ia now being worked out in a manner which will eventually, permit us to compete successfully fortius business. The conference decided that to prrmt the export movement of coal would enable foreign manufacturers to resume work, thus creating a demand for raw materials which would, in the natural course of things, stimulate general industrr in the United States. It was with this idea in mind that the conference decided to confine present export activities to coal which, we are told, ia to be given right of war over everything except mail and food, and will be allotted every available ship under Shipping; Board control. The prospect a 9 given out by the conference is sufficiently encouraging to arouse hope in the coal industry.