HOUSEHOLD COAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 December 1940, Page 6

HOUSEHOLD COAL

DIVERSION TO INDUSTRIAL NEEDS. STATEMENT BY MR ROBERTSON. Referring to a letter’from Mr R. V. .Mason, of Masterton, published yesterday, complaining about the diversion of kitchen coal for industrial purposes, Mr J. Robertson, member for Masterton, made the following statement: -1 k [;&ls; “While the output of the mines, both per head of miner and in the aggregate, is at the highest point it has touched for many years, the output of Waikato coal has never been sufficient for North Islands needs and the South Island has always been called upon to make up North Island requirements. At present a difficult position obtains, as supplies from the South Island are not available in the North Island to the same extent as would be the case in normal times. This is the season when household coal is least in demand, but in industry the needs of dairy factories, etc., are at their maximum. It has therefore been found necessary to subordinate the supply of household coal to industrial demands. It is recognised, of course, that this means considerable inconvenience to a great many people, but it is felt that in the emergency conditions which exist today, people will be prepared to accept this inconvenience rather than see any cessation of supplies of much-needed dairy produce to the United Kingdom.”