NO FEAR OF AN EARLY REDUCTION

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3090, 22 May 1917, Page 6

NO FEAR OF AN EARLY REDUCTION

OPINION OF A COUNCILLOR.

The shortage of coal and the proposal for the reduction of tho city tramway services were mentioned at last night's meeting o£ the Wellington. Town Planning and Municipal Electors' Association. Councillor Shorland, who was present, was asked if the City Council had reached' a decision with regard to the tramway services, and he indicated that there was no immediate likelihood of a reduction being put into effect. Councillor Shorland said that he could not state what the council had done in committee, but he tould say that the question of the tramway reductions had been held over till tho next ordinary meeting of the council. He did not think that the public need fear im early reduction. The position had been eased by the public assurance of the Hon. A. M. Myers that ho had arranged for 360,000 tons of coal to be brought from Newcastle during the next twelve months. "We know that local stocks , are ample, provided that ships are secured, and there is no more 'go elow' at the mines," added the councillor. H« ,«aid further that he believed there would be bis changes in tho tramway before the end of the wnr was reached. The tramway power-house was seriously overloaded at the present time, nnd the engineers were in fear and trembling over the demands made upon the plant at the rush hours. Mr. T. BallingoT- said that he thought the council should have cut down the tramway services at once. "Reductions in services' are necessary," lie paid. "The railway services have been reduced, and the trams should follow. We may hare to cut down our businesses before the war is over." Councillor Shorland: I can assure vou it is not necessary on account of coal. STATEMENT BY MINISTER NO TTME FOR ALARM. In view of the uncertainty {hat exists as to the seriousness of the reported shortage in coal supplies in the Dominion generally, the Hon. A. IF. Mjers, Minister-in-Charge of the Coal. Distribution Committee, was asked yesterday whether lie oould make any public statement on the subject.

Mr. Myers made the following statement for publication:—"When negotiations between the coal mine owners and the coal miners were abandoned, it appeared to be prudent to investigate the possibility of carrying on all public; utilities with the minimum consumption ofcoal. This, of course, would apply only in cases of dire necessity. Meanwhile the output of coal is forthcoming through the ordinary channels, and there is no apparent necessity for taking any such action for reducing the consumption of coal. At times like this it is of the utmost importance that the fullest information should be in. the possession of the Government, in order that action may be taken when the circumstances justify it, but no one should take alarm because inquiries are being made in various direptions, regarding those activities -which are concerned with the coal mining and shipping industries."