COAL CARGOES.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 105, 3 May 1919, Page 7

COAL CARGOES.

9,000 TONS ARRIVE. NOT ENOUGH TO RELIEVE SHORTAGE. The arrival of 9.000 tons of Australian wd Westport coal, in Auckland yesterlay will mean a momentary lightening rf the burden imposed upon the community by the acute coal shortage, and Uthough tliese cargoes are far too small to make any considerable improvement 'n the position, a few more shipments that are expected in the coming week will make some .-light further improvement. The Kaitangata and the Wanaka have come from Newcastle, while the Ivokir: and Kamo have just arrived from Greymouth, but the Ka tuna, which is due now witli 3,000 more tons from Westport, lots been delayed because the mines down there are not working full time, and therefore cannot yet supply her with a load. What Westport coal there is is being discharged to-day, but the Australian bonus have to tuilcrg l the usual quarantine, so their cargoes will not be discharged till Monday The Waipori has left Newcastle' with more coal for Auckland, and will probably get here by Tuesday, but the other boat with coal—the War Opal —is s-aid to have only sufficient to till the hunkers of the Corinthie, which is now in port. The coal position here will be relieved very little by these cargoes, for at prosent the suppliers arc so situated that they are refusing all orders, even when they are willing to take an indefinite date of delivery. A very great deal of "black diamonds" is ncoe-sary now to relieve the shortage wholly. The coal Unit is coming will be portioned out to different consumers on tiie lines of the Government schedule, which gives first consideration to the main industries, and no consideration at all to householders until these industries have a two months' supply. SUPPLIES FROM NEWCASTLE. WELLINGTON, Friday. Referring to the announcement that the Federal Government has decided to commandeer all coal in the Commonwealth, the Bon. A. M. Myers stated to- ■ day that as far as he could judge- al the j moment the Dominion's supply from i Newcastle would not be detrimentally affected, as it was not anticipated the output from the mines would be reduced. The recent strikes in Newcastle had I given considerable cause for anxiety, i but from information received he underI stood the bulk of the mines bad resumed 1 work, and he hoped a regular supply I would soon be again coming to hand from this source. Further, every endeavour ! was being made to arrange for oversea ; ships en route to the Dominion, both j via America and Australia, to pick up cargoes of coal. The recent epidemic and the strike at Millcrton, together with the continued stoppage of work at the Green Island mines at Otago. had accentuated the acute shortage of coal which had existed during the past two years in practically every part of the j Dominion. Every possible effort was being made . however, concluded Mr. Myers, to do tlu • : best possible in the national interests ! i with the supplies that were coming t( I, hand.