THE ENGLISH COAL SUPPLY.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVII, Issue 51, 21 December 1899, Page 15

THE ENGLISH COAL SUPPLY.

Some twenty-five years ago (says the Daily Mail) Britain supplied 50 per cent, of the world's coal consumption, and now we supply only 30 per cent. While twenty-five years ago the United States of America supplied only 15 per cent, of the world's coal consumption, now they supply 30 per cent. We shall probably export 40,000,000 tons of coal this year to other countries, who manufacture at lees cost than we do with our cheap fuel, who send their goods over to us duty free, and then undersell us in our own market. A duty of 6d per ten on all coal exported would tend to keep valuable fuel at home, where we should undoubtedly want it before long, and it would- bring in £1,000,000 per annum, which would give 10a a week to 40,000 old or disabled miners, and thus provide for colliers the old-age pensions. One thing is certain, that in fifty years we shall practically be dependent on the United States of America for cheap coal, iron and steel, and when this comes about we or our Bons will find out that an alliance with the United States for coaling our navy was imperative.