TO SAVE THE COAL

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2996, 6 February 1917, Page 6

TO SAVE THE COAL

IMPORTANT REGULATIONS

A COMMITTEE OF CONTROL

APPOINTED

GOVERNMENT TAKE IMPORTANT '. POWERS Tile following Qrder-in-G'ouiicil was Gazetted last night:— Whereas by the War Regulations Amendment Act, 1916,- it is enacted that the Goveraor-in-Coimcil may by regulations make such provisions as, having regard to the exigencies of the ■present war or the conditions created thereby, he thinks advisable for the maintenance* of industries essential for the public welfare: And whereas the coal-mining industry, the shipping industry, the administration of the public railways, and divers manufacturing industries dependent on the supply of coal are industries essential for tho public welfare: And whereas, .having regard to the exigencies of the present war and the conditions created thereby, it is advisable to make provision in manner hereinafter set forth, for the maintenance of the said industries by securing the adequato production and proper supply of coal: Now, therefore, the Governor of the Dominion of New ■Zealand, acting by and with the advice and consent of tho Executive Council of the said Dominion, and in pursuance of the War Regulations Amendment Act,. 19,16, doth hereby make the following regulations under that Act. . ■ REGULATIONS. Part 1. Part I of these regulations shall comu into operation on me day of the making thereof. The term "Minister in means a member' of tho Executive Council cluu-geu bx the tiovenior wicn the administration, ol the L'oal Traoo Regulations. '±he Minister in Charge 'may require any person to give to Inui julormatioii relative 10 tlie production, importation, exportation, supply, suit, puvouase, carnage, storage, use, aim consumption oi ooai, ana as to any buier matters iviuiui tlie E-cope of liio poive.rs and I unctions or Me Minister under the regulations, and it snail be tiie duty o't all persons to give to tne Minister all sue" information in their possession when so required, and any Dreach of that duty shall be an offence, against these veguiatious.

i''or the purpose of making adequate provision .lor Hie storage i>l ccal required for tho use ot ills Majesty or tor the essential industries 01 ■ i\'ew .Zealand, the lVlinister in Charge may take and hold possession of any coal-, hulk, wharf, or other place the possession of which he deems necessary lor the said purpose, and niaj use the saino for the storage of coai accordingly,' whether such coal is the property of the Crown or hod. No person. sLall in any manner obstruct the Aiiuisjcer in Charge in the exercise of die powers conferred, upon him by this regulation. These regulations shall extend and apply to tup State coal-mines, to the Government railways, to transports and other vessels in the service 01 His Majesty, and to all Government Departments ami officers ■<>:' ifco Crown in the same mauner so far as inay. be as •to private industries and private persons.

The Minister in charge may, by notioe iii the (Gazette, oxempt lignite ccal cither wholly or partially from the requirements of these regulations, and may in like manner revoke any sucli exemption. \ Part 11. Part II of these regulations shall come into operation' on a- day to be appointed in that behalf by tho Minister in Charge by notice published by him in .the Gazette.

No person shall, save iii pursuance of a permit issued in that behalf of the Minister in Charge'; deliver or be concerned in the delivery of any coal in pursuance of a contract of purchase, whether made before or after the date of the coming into operation of this Bart of these regulations. Nothing in this regulation shall apply to the delivery of coal for domestic or other uses in quantities not exceeding five tons at any one. time, , and not exceeding twenty tons in any one period of twenty-eight days. \

No person shall ship or be concerned in the shipment of any coal, (whether as' bunker coal or as cargo, and whether for exportation or for carriage coastwise) save in pursuance of a permit issued in that behalf by the Minister in Charge.

. No ]>orson shall import or be concerned in- the importation of coal into New Zealand save in pursuance of a permit issued in that behalf by the Minister in Charge.

Nothing'in this regulation shall apply to coal imported in pursuance of n- contract for the purchase thereof by tho importer made before, the date of the coming into operation of this part of these regulations, if such coal is imported into New-Zealand within one calendar month after that date.

In grantiug such permits as aforesaid in respect of any coal the Minister in. Charge may impose such terms and conditions as to the mode of dealing with, that coal as ho deems advisable for the regulation of the coal trade and the maintenance of industries essential for the public welfare.

Any such permit as aforesaid shall lie revocable at the will of the Minister in Charge. . '

When coal has been shipped, delivered, or imported under any such permit no person shall thereafter, without the consent of the Minister in Charge,, deal with that coal, or be concerned in dealing therewith, otherwise than in accordance with the terms and conditions on which the permit was granted, ■ Save with. the consent of the Minister in Charge, no certificate of clearance, whether for parts beyond the seas or otherwise, shall be granted under the Customs Act, 1913, ■to any collier. .

"Collier" means any vessel which.at the dato of the gazetting of these re- - filiations is exclusively or chiefly employed in the carriage of coal, and is registered in New Zealand.

Any person who makes any false representation with intent thereby to obtain a permit under these regulations either for himself or for any other person, or wlio in any manner deceives or attempts to deceive the Minister in Charge in the exorcise of the powers conferred upon him.by these regulations, shall be guilty of an offence' against these regulations and shall be liable accordingly.. The Committee. ■ The administration of the regulations is left to the Hon. A. M. Myers and a committee consisting of Messrs. A. H. Mifcs (chairman), Alexander Macintosh, and George Wilson, will advise him. The functions of the committee are defined as follow:—"To inquirefrom time to time, at tho request of the Minister in Charge, into all mattors relative to tho production, importation, exportation, supply, purchase,sale, distribution, carriage, storage, and use of coal so far as such matters fall within the scope of the Coal Trade Regulations, and into all matters arising out of the administration of those regulations, and from time to time to advise the said Minster as to all such matters as aforesaid."