EUROPE SHORT OF COAL

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26477, 19 July 1951, Page 7

EUROPE SHORT OF COAL

POSSIBLE , IMPORTS FROM U.S.

(Rec. 9 p.m.) LONDON, July 18. European countries are facing a shortage of 11,000,000 tons of coal between now and September ahd the threat of a major coal crisis this winter.

In Britain it has been stated by Mr P. Noel-Baker, Minister of Fuel, that the demand for coal is rising at a "stupendous" rate and it was difficult for supply to keep up with demand. European countries were once largely dependent on Britain for marginal supplies, but Mr Noel-Baker has stated that if exports had to be weighed against the needs of British industry, then industry must come first. Last winter Britain imported coal from the United States and American imports are again under consideration. In Geneva the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe has been unable to solve the problem of the present 11,000,000 tons deficit. The industrial correspondent of the “Financial Times” says: "Shipping circles believe that, should no other solution be found, American shipment* could be stepped up possibly to cover almost the full amount of the deficit. The limit of the coal which could be shipped out of American ports in one quarter has always been put at about 7,000,000 tons, but 10,000,000 tons ha* been shipped on one occasion. With the easing of the international situation, if Korean hones are fulfilled, and the consequent release of shipping, it is thought that the extra effort would not be impossible. "But extra coal from the United States means more dollars expenditure and European countries can ill spare the dollars needed. Negotiations are at present in hand for the use of E.C.A. dollar allowances to buy coal. Unless these are successful—and speedily—most importing countries will have a hard decision to make.”

AIR LINE SEEKS JET PLANES (Rec. 9 p.m.) NEW YORK, July 17. Eastern Airlines to-day ordered 100 000.900 dollars worth of planes designed for over-night conversion to jet power. The president (Captain Eddie Rickenbacker) said the company was buying 30 Lockheed Constellatiqns and 60 Martin 404’s. The 90 planes within two years would replace the company’s present fleet. They would be fitted with jet engines when they were released for commercial use. The plane* would then be able to fly the 1106 miles from New York to Miami in two hours.

English Football Team.—The English Association football team beat Granville district bv 5 goals to 2 at Parramatta to-day. There was no score up to half-time. On resumption, England began to play in earnest and quicklv gained control of the game. —Sydney. July 18.