COAL TRADE CONTROL

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3011, 23 February 1917, Page 6

COAL TRADE CONTROL

THINGS THAT MAY HAPPEN.

The Hon. Arthur M. Myers, Minister in Charge of Munitions and Supplies, when interviewed by a Dominion reporter in regard to the recent circular sent out by his Department to the large coal consumers, said that the Coal Trade Regulations, pubEshed in the Gazette early this month, were divided into two parts, namely, Part I, which came into operation on February 5, and Part 11, which will come into operation at , such time as the Minister may signify. Part I authorises the Minister to collect such information as he desires, to enable him to regulate ; the trade; whilo Part 11, which is ' really the operative part of the regulations, gives an outline of the restrictions likely to be imposed upon the wholesale trade should it be found'necessary to control the coal supplies. No regulations have yet been drafted for the retail trade. "It is clear, therefore," remarked Mr. Myers, "that until Part II comes into force the coal trade, proceeds as in the ordinary course of business in the past. In'the meantime I have caused those interested to be advised of the position, and have informed them of the means by which permits may be obtained should Part II be brought into operation. Having the possibility of this in mind, I have requested coal consumers using over 20 tons per month to estimate their requirements, as far as possible, and to endeavour to place their orders with their suppliers for the quantities they require, say, up to the end of the present calendar year. In other words, if Part II should come into operation, consumers will first place their orders with suppliersj and afterwajlfs request a permit from* me authorising their contracts to be carried out. If a. coal consumer finds he cannot get his orders accepted by any supplier, then I shall bo glad to consider the position in regard to his requirements, and, therefore, request such cases be brought before ray notice duly supported by copies of correspondence which has taken place between such consumers and the suppliers they have approached. Of course, any advices or requests for permits sent into me ■ before Part II does come into operation will be of a tentative nature only, and will be regarded as such by my Department. I shall be pleased, however, to receive tentative applications for permits, from consumers using over 20 tons per'month, because by so doing they will become familiarised with the procedure laid down, and my officers will be enabled to deal with the large volume of business with better prospect of giving dispatch to their rerequirements should Part II be brought into force." .'• ■ • I The Minister further remarked that at the present time he had under consideration the question of prohibiting the rescreening of coal, for domestic uses, in dealers' yards, that is to say, the coal for domestic use will be delivered to householders just as received by the dealers when supplies are consigned to them from the mines. Should it lie found necessary to bring Part II of tho regulations into operation, Mr. Myers stated that his Department would endeavour to conduct the business with the least possible inconvenience to all interested parties, and that every assistance will willingly bo afforded anyone in doubt in regard to their position. In conclusion. Mr. Myers sta't°d that lie and his advisers on the Ccal Trade Committee (consisting of Messrs. A. H. Miles, Alexander Macintosh, and G. Wilson, who give their services jgratuitously) hefd devoted a great deal of time lately to many other r.'.atters connectted with this important question.