THE COAL SHORTAGE.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 64, 15 March 1919, Page 11

THE COAL SHORTAGE.

NOT ENOUGH TRUCKS. Inquiries made concerning the present shortage of coal, through which the supplies to different industries seem to have dropped well below the safety margin, have brought forth the following statement from an Auckland coal company: — " The Department is curtailing the supplies of trucks to the coal mines, thereby seriously reducing the output. At the present time there are large numbers of the larger wagons that the Department have seated and covered for regatta and race traffic. The output at present being obtained from each of the three Waikato mines has been much below normal since November last, principally due to the number of men who had recently left off working as coal miners. Also a large number of coal workers usually take up other occupations in the summer months, the result is a diminished output, and each factory, freezing works and other industry is at the present time badly in need of supplies. The Munitions Department has been pressing each company to increase its output, and it is to be regretted that the Railway Department is unable to give coalmines prefernce of supply of trucks, which, in the interests of the essential industries of the country would at present be highly justified. " The shortage which at present exists is more acute, notwithstanding the summer months, than that experienced for several years."