COAL SUPPLIES THIS WINTER

Press, 13 April 1978, Page 11

COAL SUPPLIES THIS WINTER

Early ordering of coal from merchants would go a long way toward alleviating supply problems caused by sudden demand for coal during cold snaps. This is the view of the Chairman of the New Zealand Coal Merchants Fed-* eration (Mr Brian Bergin) who says there are usually few supply problems if the customer calls at a depot or buys pre-pack-aged coal. “But for people who rely on a house delivery from their coal merchant there is occasionally the prospect of unavoidable delays,” Mr Bergin said. The main reason for delays is the seasonal nature of the coal business. Often people do not call their coal merchant until a cool snap hits. Then they want their supplies almost immediately. “Coal merchants always do their best, especially where elderly or sick

people are concerned. But in many instances it is physically impossible to meet all orders for coal in* the space of 24 or 36 hours,” he said. The Coal Merchants Federation would like to see users ordering coai on a more regular pattern, starting earlier in the year. This would be made easier if users of coal had their own coal bin facilities which they could keep reasonably full at all times. “At least by this method customers would ensure that they did not run the risk of running out of coal during times of heavy demand,” Mr Bergin said. “However, every customer has a different problem to consider. The best advice bur federation can give is for the customer to talk the matter over with his or her local coal merchant.”