THE COAL POSITION.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 82, 6 April 1918, Page 6

THE COAL POSITION.

BIG LOCAL DEMANTD. Inquiry made to-day regarding the coal shortage reported to be existing in Wellington elicited the information that the position is by no means so ! acute in Auckland at ihe present tirae. Tbe fact is that the seaEK>rne coal does not enter so nrneli into household consumption in the Auckland district as it does in Wellington, so that the scarcity of steamers has not the same effect here as far as eoa! for domestic purposes is concerned. All the same, there is at the present tin»e a much bigger demand for coal in Auckland than has been the case at t-his season of the year previously. This gives rise to the impression that householders, taking no chances of a shortage, are laying in stcefcs for the coming winter. This is prooably due to so much having been said this year regarding a probable shortage of coal during the winter months. It is obvious that if stocks are being laid in now there will be less demand for coal for domestic use nest winter. WHAXGAHEI SUPPLIES AVAILABLE. Our Wfcangarei correspondent writes: "The Whangarei Coal Mine is idle for ! •want of orders. The -nen are walking j about the streets wondering how to reconcile the Minister of Munition's state-1 tnent that every pound of coal was j ■wanted. They have only worked three I days this week. Some twenty-four men are employed at the Whangarei Coal Mine, and no difficulty in working arises, the quality having been shown to be zood. and the supply continuous. Interviewed this morning, the managing director (Mr. Jas. Harrison), who is responsible for the *bove statement, which could be verified hy the men if necessary, said that the matter had been brought under the notice of Mr. F. Mander, M.P., who had advised that Mr. Harrison communicate with the Minister of Munitions. The men them selves also wrote to the Minister, but no reply was received. In due course MrHarrison received a reply from the Minister of Munitions, the latter suggesting the Sugar Company as a customer, and orders duly eventuated and were fulfilled. Following on a large consignment of coal from Xewcaetle, however, the Sugar Company ceased taking supplies from the Whangarei Coai Mine. Mr. Harrison emphatically stated that the quality of the coal "was good, and said that thi? could not be disputed, no matter what had been circulated to the contrary. The fact remains that men engaged in what has been classed as _.n essential industry, coming- under the scope of military exemption, are idle for lack of orders."