SHORTAGE OF COAL.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 20, 23 January 1917, Page 8

SHORTAGE OF COAL.

■ -*. A SUGGESTEB B*_——_-T. DROP SOME EXCURSION TRAINS. BUSINESS BEFORE PLEASURE. Frequent reference lias been made of late to the general shortage of coal iv the Dominion, and the position was not improved by the Christmas and NewYear vacation. It is a fortunate thing that the shortage has occurred in the summer time, but the fact cannot be overlooked that winter is now approaching, when the demand for household purposes must increase considerably. The position has now become so acute that a representative of the Auckland " Star" waited upon the president of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, Mr. E. Anderson, regarding a matter that has such far-reaching effects upon the industries of the country. " There is, undoubtedly, a general shortage of coal," said Mr. Anderson. '• not only in Auckland, but throughout New Zealand. This shortage ha<s been brought about by the reduction in the Dominion output, and by the coal strike in New South Wales. Owing to the general disturbance caused by that strike, the usual supplies of Newcastle coal have not been forthcoming, and as this coal was largely used on our railways, it has become necessary for our local mines to meet increased demand from the Railway Department. Apparently no immediate improvement can be looked for, and the increased demand for household coal during the winter months will add to the difficulties of the situation. '" The feeling is freely expressed in business quarters that the position might be relieved by the restriction of excursion traffic on the railways. It is affirmed that some of the one-day holiday excursion trains are not run at a profit, especially when the lo_ of "(revenue owing to dislocation of traffic is taken into consideration; and, if such be the case, it would appear to be in the public interest that such trains should be temporarily suspended. It may be argued that such a proceeding will interfere with our pleasures to a certain extent, but in these times especially I am convinced that the public would cheerfully acquiesce in any restriction of this sort, especially in view of the suffering that would result from any loss of employment owing to a shortage, of coal However, we may I think, rest assured that the Government is fully alive to the necessity not only of keeping our industries fully empioved but to the greater necessity "of preventing any delay in the transport of troops or in the shipment of produce so urgcnt, y required for Imperial purposes."