PRODUCTION DECLINES.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 May 1921, Page 8

PRODUCTION DECLINES.

LAST YEAR’S COAL OUTPUT. FIFTH LESS THAN 1914. In order to clear up misapprehension in regard to supplies of coal, the Hon. D. H. Guthrie has issued a statement prepared by the Coal Controller, in which stress is laid on the decreased output. Whereas the total output of coal from the Dominion amounted to 2,275,593 tons in 1914, in 1920 the output dropped to 1y841,705 tons, a decrase of 433,888 tons, equal to 19.07 per cent. On the other hand, importations which amounted to 518,070 tons in 1914, reached a total of 647,077 tons last year, an increase of 129,007 tons, or 25 per cent. The net result, taking the combined outputs and importations, and again comparing the years 1914 and 1920 respectively, is a decrease of 304,881 tons, or 1J per cent. The statement shows that in 1914 the total output of the New Zealand mines was 2,275,593 tons, made up of 1,494,313 tons of bituminous or semi-bituminous coal, 691,367 tbns of brown coal, ahd 89,913 tons of lignite coal. In addition to this 518,070 tons'of coal were imported in 1914, bringing the total for the year to 3.793,663 tons. The 1920 figures show the total coal from New Zealand mines as 1,841,705 tons, made up of }L3,'57'5 tons of bituminous or semibituminous coal, 713,709 tons or brown coal, and 204,421 tons of lignite coal. In addition there was imported in 1920 647,077 tons, bringing the total available to 2,488,782 tons, There has been a steady decline in the output of bituminous coal up to 1920, and only large importations made it possible to keep the essential services in fujj swing. On the other hand, there has been a substantial increase in the production of lignite coals, principally in Otago and Southland. These coals are unsuitable, for important services, but are used largely in conjunction with hard coal for household purposes, and by small steam plants. 4?very effort has been made’Jx> keep the supplies of coal going, but it has been found difficult owing to shipping delays caused mainly by the weather and labor disputes. z A suggestion has been made that the 1 operation of the coal control is in some way retarding the importation of coal, but such is not the. case. There are no •restrictions of any kind on the importa- > tion of coal into the Dominion by any person or firm. The local Coal Trade Committees, on the arrival of any shipment, require that .it shall be distributed under a permit in order to ensure equitable distribution in the interests of aff users, but, apart from this, there is no interference of any kind with - ordinary relationships as between buyer and seller. The statement contends that the position does not warrant relaxation of the restrictions, and exhorts people, to use more firewood in order to. conserve stocks of hard coal.