COAL SUPPLY.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 August 1920, Page 5

COAL SUPPLY.

NEWCASTLE EMBARGO. A SERIOUS OUTLOOK. The coal supply is" threatened by the embargo which has beeif placed on Newcastle coal for New Zealand. New Zealand uses a great deal of Newcastle coal, and now none is allowed to be sent here. "We are not getting nearly enough coal to keep things going in New Zealand at present," said Mr. A. L. Humphries (New Plymouth representative of the Coal Control Committee) last night. "New Plymouth has been treated pretty well in the past, but there is a shortage now, and if the embargo continues the trouble wilt be very acute. The dairy factories are all out of coal, and they will be starting operations soon. In past seasons the dairy companies have had accumulated, supplies, but there are none now." Mr. Humphries added that the stoppage of imports will mean that the centres of. the Dominion will be short; they will want more New Zealand coal, and consequently Tarahaki will have to go short. The question of the coal embargo having any effect on the New Plymouth gas service was put to Mr. T. Furlong (chairman of the Company) by a Daily News representative last night. Mr. Furlong stated that his Company does not us? a great deal of Newcastle coal, though there are occasions when shipments come from, this source. At present there are ample supplies for the immediate future, but if the embargo continues the amount of coal available in the Dominion will, of course, be appreciably decreased.

POSITION IN AUCKLAND. THREAT TO OAS SERVICE. By Telesraiih,—Presr Assn. —Copyright. Auckland, Last Night. The embargo on shipments of Newcastle coal threatens to bring about a further and more drastic reduction in the consumption of gas. The position is that at present the Auckland Gas Company relies 011 Newcastle for three-quarters of its requirements, and consequently if news does not come to hand that the embargo has been lifted a further saving in consumption will immediately have to be enforced. The last cut in the pressure resulted in 25 per cent reduction in consumption •—■just one-third of the amount it will be necessary to saVe in the output should Hie embargo be not lifted.

WELLINGTON DISLOCATED. COAL NOT DISCHARGED. ELECTRIC POWER CURTAILED. Wellington, August 23 A serious position has arisen regarding coal supplies at Wellington. Three vessels are in port with «>OO tons 011 board, but are not being discharged, owing to the dispute with the watersiders relative to the discharge of superphosphate's from a Japanese steamer. The (trams cease running at 2.30 o'clock this afternoon, but will resume at 4.30, and then run for two hours more only. Electric light for domestic purposes will probably give out at 0 o'clock to-night. Gas supplies will cease about six o'clock to-morrow morning.

DISPUTE WITH WATERSIDERS. REASONS FOR THE HOLD-UP. PARLIAMENT AFFECTED. Wellington, Last Night. In connection with the coal hold-up the following authoritative statement is issued on behalf of the employers:— "The secretary of the Union (Mr. Bruce) misinformed the men regarding the "rate they were to get for working the Japanese ship. Mr. Bruce said that if he told the ,men this they would stop work. At a meeting of the local disputes committee, the employers," recognising that Mr. Bruce had made an error, decided to pay the men 3s an hour ordinary time ana 4s an hour overtime till 10 p.m., so as not to break faith with the workers, who, when engaged, thought they were to get 3s and 4s an Hour. The decision of the employers was approved by 'the whole committee. It was made on the distinct understanding that the men worked at the award rate of 23 5d on the next and on subsequent days. "The employers 6tand on the fact that Japanese phosphate is specified in the award at 2s 5d an hour, and that this cargo is in excellent condition, double bagged, and not at all dusty. In 'the circumstances they cannot see why they should pay 3s and 4s an hour. However, should the cargo prove dusty towards the bottom the employers are quite willing to refer the matter to the local disputes committee and abide by its decision. The employers are firmly resolved not to engage any more labor on the waterfront till the men work the phosphate bS&t at the award rate. "An exception to the rule will, however, be made in the case of the ferry boats connecting the two Islands. Labor will be engaged for the Pateena, Wal hine, Maori, Kaitoa, and Nikau whenever | they are in port. People come to Wellington from all parts of the country to I travel by the ferry boats, and if the | boats wero to be held up many would find it impossible to obtain accommodation in the city, and would suffer hardship in consequence."

If the trouble continues and the electric light fails it is possible the night sittings of Parliament will have to be abandoned in the meantime.

WANGANUI'S PLIGHT. The Wangamii Borough Council, which has a contract with a Newcastle firm for a supply of coal, has been advised that the authorities refuse to allow a steamer to load coal for Wanganui. The local gasworks have only enough coal to last until to-day.