FUEL FOR THE NAVY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 51, Issue 129, 13 March 1931, Page 5

FUEL FOR THE NAVY.

IMPORTED SUPPLIES. OIL FROM COAL ADVOCATED. (United Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, March 11. Tn the House of Commons, Commander Kemvorthy proposed the following motion: “That this House expresses the opinion that it is desirable for strategic and economic reasons, that energetic steps should he taken to encourage the use of oil fuel made from coal for the Navy. He pointed out that 90- per cent, of the oil fuel for the N av .Y eame from the United Stat.es and Mexico and the rest via the Mediterranean and the Cape of Good Hope. America, by a simple action could stop supplies and without petrol not a Avarship could put to sea, not an (Aeroplane could fly, Avhile the Army Avould he immobilised. Thirty per cent, of the British merchantmen Avere oil-burners. He said that there Avere no scientific difficulties against obtaining all oil fuel needed from coal.

Mr G. Hall said that the Government was prepared to accept the motion. The Admiralty was well aware of the danger of dependence on imported oil fuel, and the Fuel Research Department was devoting itself to the question. It was hoped in the near future that the oil for the Navy would he obtainable from coal at a price that would give a blip to the coal industry. The motion, was adopted without a division.