THE COAL QUESTION

Evening Post, Volume XCVII, Issue 27, 31 January 1919, Page 8

THE COAL QUESTION

POSITION IN THE CITY

Many householders in Wellington are wondering when their bins are to receive some of the mixture termed "coal." Orders given long weeks ago still await fulfilment. The dealers have received payment in advance, but are not yet able to deliver the goods. One dealer remarked recently that he had orders for 300 tons (in small lots), and had only 16 tons to meet the demand. The authorities have explained that the shipping hold-up in Australian ports, the epidemic, and the Christmas holidays at the mines are blamable, for the shortage.

There is a suspicion that the Railway Department and other large consumers are receiving more than a fail- share of the quantities available, but the authorities reply that the distribution is done equitably.

The Board of Trade (Messrs. M'Donaid, Hart, and Hally) and Dr. Hight have returned to Wellington from the West Coast. The visit to this district, completes the tour of inquiry into the coal supply question. The board took evidence of representatives of employers and employees at Greymouth, Runanga, Blackball, Reefton, Westport, Denniston, MiUerton, and Ngakawau. The evidence taken on the West Coast completes the board's inquiry into the coal question, and it will sit in committee next week to draft its report on the subject to the Government.

While in Marlborough the board visited Blenheim and conferred with the Borough Council there with reference to the prices and supplies and distribution of coal in that district.