COAL TRADE CONTROL

Evening Post, Volume XCIII, Issue 46, 22 February 1917, Page 8

COAL TRADE CONTROL

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT BY

THE MINISTER

. The- Hon. Arthur M. Myers, Minister in Charge of Munitions and Supplies, interviewed by a Post representative iirre-' gard to the recent circular sent out by his Department to the large coal consumers, said that the Coal Trade Regulations published in the Gazette early this month were divided into two parts, namely, Part. 1., which came into operation on the sth instant, 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; while 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 11. comes into force the coal trade proceeds as in the ordinary course of business in the past. In the meantime 1 have caused those interested to be advised of the position, and have informed them of the means by which permits rimy be obtained should Part 11. be brought into operation. Having the possibility of this in mind, I have requested coal < consumers using_ over twenty (20) tons .per month to estimate their requirements, as far 1 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 11. should come into operation, consumers will first place their orders with suppliers, and afterwards request a permit, from mo authorising .their; contracts to.. be ..carried out. If a coal consumer finds he cannot get his order's accepted by any supplier, then I shall be glad to consider the position' in regard to-his requirements, and, therefore, request such cases \e brough£lbefoi:e..:my jiati.ee.;_jduly;.syp;;; ported'by copies of correspondence which lias taken place between such-consumers and the suppliers, they have approached: Of cqprse anyadviees or requests for per-mits-sent- into me-before -Part-11. .does comet < into operation' will be.of :a tenta-, tive nature"only,- and ;will :be/regarded'.as such -by-my- Department. I shall be pleased, however, to-receive tentative-ap-plications for permits, from, consumers using ■ over twenty tons per month, because by so doing they will ""become" familiarised t with the procedure laid down;/and my officers will be enabled to deal with the large volume of business with .better prpspect~of giving;; despatch:. to their requirements should Part ■II: be brought intb force." : The. Minister further remarked that at; t,he 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--deliveredi'tb householders just as receive_d by the deal-" ers when'supplies are consigned to them from-the mines.

' Should it be found necessary to: bring. Part;ll. of the Regulations into operation,' Mr. Myers stated that his De. partment would endeavour to conduct the business with the least possible inconvenience • to all interested - parties, and. that every assistance will willingly be affprdr ed anyone in doubt in regard to their position. •In conclusion, Mr.' Myers stated that ho and his advisers on the Coal Trade Committee (consisting of Messrs. A. H. Miles, A. Macintosh, and G. Wilson, who give their services gratuitously) had devoted a great deal of time lately to many other matters connected with this important question.