COAL SUPPLIES

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 81, 6 April 1943, Page 4

COAL SUPPLIES

MINISTER'S HOPES

OVERCOMING OF SHORTAGE

New Zealand's position in regard to coal supplies and the efforts that were being made to meet the tremendous demand now being made upon the industry were dealt with by the Minister of Mines, Mr. Webb, in an interview this morning. He referred particularly to the supply of coal for gas company purposes. It was quite true, he said, that West Coast coal was arriving in a wet condition. That was occasioned by bad conditions on the Coast harbour bars, and the excessive bad weather that had been experienced there in recent months. Both the Greymouth and Westport bars were badly silted up. Ships had to leave underloaded. The situation from the Coast point of view was bad. Shipping bottoms were limited, and this, plus the fact that at present the ships could not be loaded to capacity, made' the situation serious. Mr. Webb said he had been in tontact with the Auckland Gas Company this morning and had made an inspection there. It was quite clear that wet coal was creating serious difficulties for the company. Stocks were low; they had, in fact, been reduced to about 2500 tons. Dealing with this position, Mr. Webb said that Australian coal, which had been burned in a number of retorts —vertical retorts particularly—had not been coming to New Zealand at all, although 100,000 tons had been imported each year previously. The hazards of the sea had not improved the situation. "We cannot look to Australia for any great relief at the present time," he said. 125,000 Tons More Needed While New Zealand v/as facing difficulties in regard to the importation of coal, she also had to face a position where vastly ..increased ::de : mands -were being made ...upon industry in this country. In addition to the minimum requirements that in the past had been demanded, this year the railways were asking for a 40 per cent increase in their allotment, the gas works for 25 per cent extra, and meat works for 10 per cent more. Twenty-five per cent more was required for the generation of electricity. Military and naval requirements had increased by 20 per cent, and those of other industries by 50 per cent. This meant that a total of 125,000 tons more would be required as a minimum. When this increase was considered, said Mr. Webb, it had tq be remembered that prior to this there had been an increase in the demand amounting to 200,000 tons since 1935. Industry had required 180,000 tons. Last year the miners, working splendidly, had achieved a record production. This year another New Zealand record would be established. "When the figures are complete," said Mr. Webb, "it will be seen that there has been an increase of at least 128,000 tons on last year's, figures." Even with this splendid result, said the Minister, it would require the utmost co-operation among the companies, the miners and the State to produce coal to meet the vastly increased demand of 125,000 tons. Shortage After To-night The immediate position so far as , the gas company was concerned, said Mr. Webb, was that there would be a shortage after 6.30 to-night. Generally there would be a necessity for people to conserve coal as much as possible. The position, he emphasised was one that could only be met by co-operation. With luck -in the provision of transport and a better clearance of the West Coast bars and solid work he was convinced that the position could be met.