WINTER COAL SUPPLIES

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23299, 8 April 1941, Page 6

WINTER COAL SUPPLIES

NO SHORTAGE UKEIA (P.A). AUCKLAND, April 7. “I have no fear but that both 'the domestic and industrial demand f° r coal this winter will be fully met without recourse to rationing,” said the Minister for Mines (the Hon. P. C, Webb). ‘‘The domestic supply question is well in hand,” Mr Webb said. “I do not think there will be any shortage of domestic coal this winter.”

Mr Webb said there was every indi- • cation that the industry would be able to meet the demands of the Auckland Electric Power Board for coal for the. generatiop of power. Coal was heinf . shipped from Bluff and the West Cogit of the South Island, in addition 19 drawing on the Waikato mines to thf maximum, “Production is increaswl rapidly in the Waikato,” he added) “Provided that ships are available 19 * augment North Island supplies, add everything points to them being avail* able, I do not anticipate any difficulty in providing Ihe necessary supplies. “Extra miners could be put on in thf Waikato if accommodation were avail* - able,” Mr Webb continued. “At thf moment, however, it is taxed to thf utmost, and the mining companies and the Government are im* proving accommodation. group of State houses is being erected at . Huptly.”