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Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 123, 19 February 1944, Page 6

With the prospect of an acute coal shortage during the coming winter months people are beginning to consider the problems that will have to be faced unless in the meantime the mine workers realize the far-reaching consequences to the general community of their present anti-social attitude. The Wellington Education Board, for example, has now on its mind the difficulty likely to be experienced in heating the schools. It will’be a great hardship for both children and teachers if the work of the schools has to be carried on in cold class-rooms. Moreover, such conditions will be conducive to a lowering of physical resistance to ailments of one kind and another, and the incidence of school sickness may become disturbingly high. The Education Board’s apparent intention is to negotiate with the Mining Controller for priority supplies from whatever stocks may be available. But there are supplies for other essential purposes, including domestic cooking and heating, which also have to be taken into account. The effects of a coal shortage have innumerable ramifications throughout the entire community. People seldom realize how far-reaching those effects are until they are actually felt. Now that they are beginning to think seriously about what may be looming, they will be quite justified in demanding more specific action, from the Government to end the present uncertainty.