COAL SUPPLIES.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17221, 11 August 1921, Page 6

COAL SUPPLIES.

ALL RESTRICTIONS LIFTED. STATEMENT BY THE MINISTEB, (PBESS ASSOCIATION TgLEOBAM.) WELLINGTON. August 10. The Hon. D. H. Guthrie has announced that Cabinet has decided to lift the restrictions on the distribution of coal throughout the Dominion. This will mean the abolition of the honorary Coal Trade Committees in Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedra, and Wellington, together with branches, and also the Coal Control Department, Wellington.

The Minister stated that the Government had to take the earliest'opportunity of closing down the Department, in view of the necessity for effecting administration economies wherever passible. Supplies of coal were now fo plentiful that the Government was able to withdraw the restrictions on the delivery of coal within the Dominion as from September Ist. The Government Firewood Department would be transferred to the Mines Department, and worked in conjunction with the State Coal Depot. The improved position, Mr Guthrie added, was not brought about by any material increase in the output of the Dominion mines, but was mainly owing to the large increase in importations, amounting approximately to 240,000 tons for the first six months of the economic conditions, the demand for coal bad decreased, especially with respect to coal for bunkering overseas steamers. The mildness of the winter had also reduced the demand for household coal, and the local yards were mostly well stoc&ed. The Commonwealth authorities lad also lifted the embargo upon the export of coal to Neiv Zealand, consequently the Dominion was in a sufficiently safe-position to justify the action taken by the Government. - "Since the shortage first became serious at the end of 1310. up to the beginning of the present year," added the Minister, "the coal position has been causing the gravest concern. Had not substantial increases in importation taken place, with efficient distribution, to counteract the persistent falling-off in the Dominion output, there is not the slightest doubt that severe financial loss would have resulted, with consequent unemployment and distress."