SHORTAGE OF COAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 January 1920, Page 5

SHORTAGE OF COAL.

PRIVATIONS IN PARIS. ' PAINFUL QUEST. Paris, Nov. 15. For the past few days the Prew—that ■ ' is to say, the Presse de Paris and the Feuille Commune—has announced the arrival in Paris of supplies of coal, at the same time stating that the situation Is a little more hopeful for the factories and public services. But if this is so, it is no whit more promising for the private consumer, who in many cases has had no coal since early summer, and who, now that the gas pressure lias been so much reduced, is finding cooking, as well as heating, a serious problem. In spite of the high price of wood, it was hoped that it would be utilised to fill the gap until further coal supplies nrrived. but wood nUo has for the last month or so been almost impossible to obtain. As a result, the big fuel companies, with a very few exceptions, have refused to take orders. In one case the crowfl demonstrated, and, cold with waiting in the snow, without more ado the door of the coal dewot was forced, and the crowd streamed into the office, where they formed themselves into an orderly queue 'and puve their orders. The quantity allotted to each houseI'o'd wns only some thirtr pounds, but i this was thankfully accepted. As one of the crowd remarked, it took two hours to obtain a (ire for three hours. The Presse de Paris announces that the position in the electric lighting industry is improving, except in the case of the Est Lumieres Lighting Company, • the operations of which concern were brought to a standstill as a result of the bad quality of the coal.