STATE COAL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8463, 13 June 1907, Page 6

STATE COAL.

Some time ago a deputation representing the coal merchants of New Zealand waited on the Acting-Pre-mier (in the absence of the Minister of Mines) with a long list of grievances connected with the State coal mines and depots. A reply has now been forwarded to the parties interested stating (1) that the coal depots were established fo: the purpose of selling cheap coal to the people for cash; that there was no desire to sell to dealers at all, and he failed to see how they claimed to have any grievance in the matter. (2) If credit were given, necessarily the price charged for coal would have to be increased in order to provide the losses, which, no doubt, would be heavier with the Government than with ordinary dealers. (3) No depot has been established at the expense of any other part of the colony. The depots are self-sup-porting, and, as circumstances warrant depots will be established at other centres (Wanganui being instance J as a case in point). (4) An annual report and balance-sheet will be submitted to Parliament, when the position of the depots will be disclosed. (5) There is no necessity for fixing the selling conditions of State coal to dealers, as after State requirements have been provided for there will be no coal for outside sale.