RAILWAY COMMISSION.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 October 1919, Page 4

RAILWAY COMMISSION.

STATEMENT BY COAL TRADE COMMITTEE. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Oct.. 2. In a statement l'andcd in to the Railway Commission this morning Mr A. S. Collins, deputy-chairman of the Wellington Coal Trade Committee, severely criticised the lack of initiative on the part of the Railway Department. The shortage of railway supplies which led to the railway cut occurred from November to June. During the whole of that period there were ample stocks of coal at Newcastle, if the department had made arrangements for tonnage to lift it. Notwithstanding the seamen's strike, the Wellington Coa.l Trade Committee was able to get the Overseas Committee to bring coal from Newcastle in overseas vessels.

Mr A. W. Blair, solicitor for the Board of Trade, put in correspondence which he said showed that the coal shortage was due to the action of the Railway Department, owing to the fact that it did not press for sufficient tonnage.

Mr F. J. Gunn, officer in control of the Coal Supplies Department, said that in his opinion the coal shortage was due to the number of coal miners having been greatly depleted during the war, and also the lack of tonnage for the conveyance of coal. Coal could be got from Newcastle, but there was no shipping to carry it. Ships Were diverted for Imperial purposes. He did not think the freights were unreasonable in view of the freights paid to other parts of the world. It was only the patriotic action of the gentlemen associated with shipping here that enabled us to get coal from America and Australia. Everything that possible foresight could suggest was done to keep up the coal supplies of the Dominion.

Wellington, list Night. Alfred M. Adams, formerly chief executive officer of the Munitions and Supplies Board, said the Board had always made every effort to assist the railways, because it recognised they were entitled to first consideration. Witness criticised the Department for refusing to pay more than. 25s per ton freight for coal. Except in isolated cases at long intervals there -would have been no acute shortage for the railways if the Department had been prepared to pay the price ruling for overseas tonnage. In 1917-18 through this .action on the port of . the Railway 'Department, the Munitions and Supplies Department virtually came to an impasse. It could not proceed further.

The Commission adjourned until tO' morrow.