THE SHORTAGE OF COAL

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3034, 22 March 1917, Page 6

THE SHORTAGE OF COAL

PROBLEM OF TRANSPORT. Tho question of the coal shortage cropped up at the Military Service Board yesterday, when the appeals by the Union S.S. Co. for four marine engineers were being heard. The matter was introduced by Captain Baldwin, who quoted an extract from an article in a contemporary dealing with tho transport of the fuel. After quoting the article, Captain Baldwin asked Mr. W. A. Kennedy, local manager of the Union S.S. Co., who was present, to support the appeals: "Is not your company carrying on at the expense of the community P" Mr. Kennedy: That is not so. The shortage of tonnage is a serious matter for the public, and the shortage of engineers would accentuate the position. The condition of the coal trade ■ib an extremely serious one, and the Union Co. is doing all in its powor to lessen tho tension. Tho main cause of the shortage was the scarcity of tonnage. A number of the largest colliers, owned by the company had been requisitioned by the Government and other vessels by the Admiralty. These vessels would ordinarily have been used for the carriage of coal to New Zealand. Captain Baldwin: Supposing the Government asked your company to divert more of your tonnage to the carriage of coal, would the company agree to do eo? Mr. Kennedy: Certainly. Indeed, we would have no option. Mr. Kennedy stated that the Waihora had been practically handed over the Government for the carriage of coal. The vessel was now being run by the company in the interests of the people. Captain Baldwin: And if tho Government asked you to divert more ships for the carriago of coal, would your company Agree to do that f Mr. Konnedy: Most certainly. We wonld be only too glad to assist the Government in any way possible. Mr. Mack (a member of the board); Your tonnage is fully utilised at present? Mr. Kennedy: Yes. The company had re. ceived a letter from the Minister of Munitions thanking the company for tho assistance it had rendered. Later, Mr. Kennedy said he wished to refer tb a statement made at the board a few days ago that the company was over-manning its vessels. It stood to reason that this was not correct. The company had spared all the men it could and could spare no more. Captain Baldwin: What I want to impress upon yon is this: There may come a time—l trust it never will comewhen wo might be very hard pressed for men. When that time oomes, every industry in New Zealand will have to he "combed out" to the fullest extent. *