COAL SHORTAGE

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 128, 25 February 1944, Page 4

COAL SHORTAGE

View That Government Should Act MINING HOLD-UPS At this week’s meeting of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce Council, reference was made to the discussion at the previous meeting when it was stated that the prospect “looked dismal tor Wellington in the coining winter as a result of the strikes, stop-work meetings, goslow tactics and absenteeism prevalent on the coalfields.” . lu a statement to the council the president. Mr. W. H. Hindle, said that the position appeared to be no better but might have got worse and the eftorts ot the Minister of National Service seemed to have been fruitless. “The policy of appeasement should be discarded,” said' Mr. Hindlc. “It has not produced more coal, which is what the people now demand. “Warnings have been sounded by gas companies and .these should be heeded. Railways services have been re’diiced and this is causing much inconvenience to the general public and to .business firms. The fact that our soldiers, sailors and airmen are practically confined to barracks is greatly resented in the services. “Industries that are dependent on coal are exhausting their reserves and - unless there is an early improvement in coal arrival the whole country is faced with disruption. . “The causes of the miners conduct which has led to such a serious reduction in output should be published and the public enabled to judge ■ whether the miners have any real basis for complaint. The importance of building up coal stocks now against winter needs was stressed as a matter of great national importance. , It was resolved that the Associated Chambers of Commerce be invited to call a conference of all business interests and take steps to have the Government realize the gravity of the situation and apply the remedy. - c.