HOUSE COAL

Evening Post, Volume XCIX, Issue 121, 22 May 1920, Page 5

HOUSE COAL

RATIONING INADEQUATE SUPPLIES DISTRIBUTION DIFFICULTIES DIVIDED CONTROL. Several complaints have been received by The Post lately regarding.the supplies of household coal. The bur-den of these complaints is that the system of distribution in hand to mouth; that there is no possibility of the householder looking ahead for one or two Months with the oa-tainty of a supply sufficient to meet reasonable requirements. If the householder neglects to order another supply, directly one is received, there is a practical certainty of empty grates for a period. A Post reporter stated these .complaints to the Wellington Coal Committee, and also Eought information from other sources. The result of the inquiries was the establishment of the fact that the Coal Committee was doing the beslr—and a good best—with the supplies at its disposal; that the ivorries of members of the committee far transcended those of the average householder, and that the system ol control was not perfect, since it placed important -supplies beyond reach of, the ..Goal Committee. This was not stated in so many words, but it was evident that the Coal Committee ' could not speak with authority on the question aa to whether the share of supplies which came to its hands waA a fair one.

Contributing to bring about the present position are several factors : th<* bad weather at ports, delaying discharge, and at bar harbours, delaying sailings. For example, She Karma,"has been at Lyttelton for a fortnight. Under normal conditions if a. ship were put out of her running, another could be put on to take her place. There are no spare ships no'v, a.nd there >"s nothing to do. but take up the running again as soon as possible. Ther-3 have not always been lull supplies" of labour for discharge of cargoes, and in some casft trucks have not been in readiness. The Royal visit meant a break when time could not well be spared. The shortage of shipping is a very considerable factor; and this affects Wellington more than other parts .of the Dominion, for all the coal is seaborne. Auckland, Wellington, and Dunedm may obtain coal for .household-pur-poses by rail, and coal foi which indus•tnes are not anxious to compete. Wellington's supplies are almost wholly steam coal, and the householder must take his place in the; queue with the producer and manufacturer. Household supplies here are not sufficient ". for normal needs by 50 per cent., though wood fuel reduces the deficiency.' As to the distribution of supplies that come under the jurisdiction of the local committee, an assurance was given that no industries were being allowed to build up reserves. A meat company with tons of valuable carcases in store was down to one day's supply of fuel recently, alld was burning fences and butter-boxes Gasworks, lighting stations.' arid tramways are receiving only sufficient for everyday use. The State Coal Depot is receiving a greater proportion of coal than at any time previously; but the demand has increased enormously, for the State is selling about 25s A ton cheaper than private dealers are able to. There is a limit to the amount the. State Depot can distribute with the available, plant, and as the Government has directed that orders shall be taken continuously, orders are accumulating. The Coal Committee has endeavoured to place the Cheaper West Coast coal oil the household market, and to give to industries the supplies which could not »a retailed under £4 10s of 535 a. ton.

Members of the Coal Commmitlee Were asked if they had any power to increase supplies from abroad.. They pointed out that all steamers were Ulidcr the control of the Government, but all the service could not be concentrated on coal-carrying. Wheat had to be brought over, and brought Quickly if good grain was to be obtained j hardwood demanded another ship in order that essential Government and municipal works might proceed. Concerning supplies coming into New Zealand, a little . information was obtained from the Harbour Board's annual report showing the destination of supplies passing over the wharves or transhipped :—

The committee admitted that it did not control the■■■ Whole ,of the coal supplies. The railways were independent. It was mentioned that traffic^ demands had been lieavy. while the Prince was in New Zealand; but the members of the conimittee were unable to jay that the railways had sufficient or depleted stocks or a gdbd surplus. It may appear anomalous that in an emergency the Coal Control Committee has applied to the Railway Department for stocks to keep essential industries going. The Coal Committee has"" effected a reduction in the demand by limiting the bunkering of overseas vessels in New Zealand ports. In othei directions it has effected economies. Under the present- system it appears that the committee can do ho more. It has the whole of the responsibility for industries and households—except the railways'; and -it can allocate supplies as-it wishes, except for the railway claims. The railways are the biggest users of coal.

'aying wharfage tons, (for the trade)... 166,654 Sxenipt (for Government) 46,713 Dran shipped at wharves 301,379 n sti-eam , 31,734 tons. 159j194 84,270 183,874 2,572