THE COAL OUTPUT

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16212, 15 May 1918, Page 6

THE COAL OUTPUT

REGULATING SUPPLIES FROM OTAGO COLLIERIES. (special to "the press.'M DUNEDIN, May 14. Tiie authorities hnvo takon steps to regulate the distribution of the output of coal from the Otago collieries. An Order-in-Council has been gazetted establishing a Dunodin coal trade district, and appointing a committee o£ representatives of suppliers and retailers to control distribution. Under the new system locally, the distribution °f the ivhole of the output of the Otago mines will bo subject to permits being received from the Duuedin Coal Trade Committee. This is really equal to Government control of distribution. This system has been adopted with a view to securing, as far as is practicable. equality of distribution generally, and ensuring particularly a dependable supply for essential industries, not only locally and proviuciaily, but, if necessary, throughout the .Dominion. Hie local collieries may now be called on to supply a certain proportion of their output to districts where shortage of essential fuel is acutely experienced. All the Otago collieries arc well behind with their orders. This is a common experience in the winter months, but the pressure of demand is much heavier than usual. It is still a curious fact, however, that the authorities, in endeavouring to maintain ail adequate distribution of coal throughout New Zealand, have not yet deemed it necessary or prudent to ask the coalminers to work twelve dnys a fortnight during the continuation of the war.