Extra Charge For “Emergency” Coal

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30215, 21 August 1963, Page 17

Extra Charge For “Emergency” Coal

I From Our Parliamentary Reporter] WELLINGTON, August 20. The shortage of domestic-type coal in Christchurch and the imposition of a surcharge for “emergency” deliveries of coal to the consumer, were subjects of complaint in Parliament today.

Speaking in the 90-minute debate on the Estimates for the State coalmines, Mr N. E. Kirk (Oppos., Lyttelton) said the State Coal Depot in Christchurch was having some difficulty in filling orders in a reasonable time, and that up to a fortnight’s delay was being experienced between ordering and delivery. "People are being advised by the State Coal Deport that if they pay Is 6d a bag extra, the coal will be delivered immediately,” Mr Kirk said. “This seems to be most unfair and unjust, particularly to pensioners and old people.” Mr Kirk said it seemed to be possible to buy small quantities of coal in paper bags at grocery shops and the like, again at a higher price. The significant thing was that this coal was of the Strongman type—the kind householders wanted but could not get from the dealers. Mr P. Blanchfield (Opp., Westland) likened the buying of coal in Christchurch to the buying of wine in a restaurant. “If you want to wine you’ve got to dine, and if you want coal you’ve got to have the paper bag,” he said. Coal was selling at Us 7d for 1561 b in a sack, but at 8s 6d for 561 b in a paper bag. He read a letter he had received from a constituent in which it was said coal merchants were selling in bulk to groceries and service stations. The constituent asked if the State coal centre in Christchurch was doing that too, and said that if so it would have a serious impact on the industry. Sell at Best Prices The Minister of Mines (Mr Shand) said that members speaking of the shortage of bituminous coal in Christchurch should remember that State coalmines were in business to sell coal at the best prices they could get, and in the biggest quantities, to offset losses elsewhere. It was also true that in its attempts to sell coal in any form or quantity in which it was wanted, the department also had to watch its costs. “It is true there is a shortage of Strongman-type coal in Christchurch this winter,” Mr Shand said. "A few years ago this happened every year. Last winter we did not have any difficulty and at the

end of the summer Christchurch merchants found themselves with some stocks on hand. They were reluctant to stock up.” He denied that the State Coal Depot had followed the same course. Supplies had been kept up, with the exception of one day. Mr Shand said the practice mentioned by Mr Kirk, of emergency supplies of coal being delivered on the understanding of a surcharge a bag, had been going on among merchants in Christchurch for a number of years. It simply meant that the person who ordered paid the extra because of additional handling and probably because the truck had to make a separate delivery outside its usual round.

Mr Shand said coal in paper bags had been sold some time previously for this specific purpose. “It is a very expensive way to sell coal, but some people like it that way,” he said. “Our job is to sell coal, and that is what we are doing.” Mr M. A. Connelly (Opp., Ricearton) said he was not satisfied with the Minister’s answers. He was not satisfied that the imposition of Is 6d extra for the emergency coal delivery was right. “If people are paying Is 6d a bag extra to get coal quickly, surely they are doing so art the expense of people on the waiting list,” he said.