COAL PROBLEM

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 293, 10 December 1943, Page 3

COAL PROBLEM

COLLIER PAYS OFF

EFFECT ON INDUSTRIES

The "Westport Coal Company's chartered steamer Kaimai has been paid off in Auckland, and two voyages to Westport before Christmas to bring coal cargoes have had to be abandoned. The reason is inability to obtain sufficient crew to take the ship to sea. The Kaimai, under time charter from the Union Steam Ship Company, should have sailed from Auckland last Friday, but was held up because two members of the crew were not available. The position became worse during the week and it was decided to pay off the crew.

An official of the Westport Coal Company said to-day that Auckland was in urgent need of coal for gasworks and other commercial undertakings.

The secretary of the Auckland Seamen's Union said to-day that n*en were not available to fill the vacancies. There was a shortage of coal-burning firemen, and the Katmai was regarded by them as a difficult ship. Coal burners were of the past, and no young men were coming forward to fill coal-burning -jobs, while older men were scarce. Members of the crew could leave the ship at their home port after giving 24 hours' notice, lie understood that some effort had been made in Wellington to engage men. There was a shortage of shipping, and it would be difficult to replace the vessel. It was certain that, if there were no replacements Auckland would be without gas at some time during the holiday period, said the manager of the Auckland Gas Company, Mr. R. P. Worley. He had sent a"telegram to the Coal Controller, Mr. C. H. Benney, asking whether the Kaimai's scheduled coal cargoes could be renlaced. Personally he thought a ship would be obtained.

In a telephone conversation from Wellington Mr. Benney said that some other ship would have to be substituted. It would mean a readjustment of shipping, but there would have to be replacements. He did not think there would be any serious difficulties.