CONTROL ENDED

Evening Post, Volume CII, Issue 36, 11 August 1921, Page 8

CONTROL ENDED

COAL SUPPLIES SATISFACTORY

EFFECT OF IMPORTATIONS.

The anticipated announcement of the of coal-distribution control was made by the Minister in Charge (the Hon. D. •H. Gutlrrie) yesterday. The decision will (result in the abolition of the honorary Coal Trade Committees at Auckland, Christcburch, Dunedin, and Wellington, together with their various blanches, and of the Coal Control Department at Wellington. . Mr. Guthsie stated that the Government had been watching the coal position very' closely, in order to take the earliest opportunity of bringing the operations of the Department to a dose, in view of the necessity of effecting economies in administration: in every possible direction. The Minister stated, that supplies of coal were how so plentiful as to enable the Government to withdraw the restrictions on the delivery of coal within the Dominion. "This will be done as from Ist September. It may be found necessary to retain some of the powers contained in the Coal Trade^ 1 Regulations meantime, in which case the Minister of Mines will be charged with the administration. The Government Firewood Depot, which has served such a. useful purpose for the last two winters, -will ibe handed over to the Mines Department to be worked in conjunction with the State Coal Depot. 1 The improved position has not been (brought about by any material increase in the outputs of the Dominion mines, but, mainly by the large incieise in importations, which amounted to approximately 240,000 tons for the first six months of this year. In addition to this, owing to general economic conditions prevailing, the demand has decreased, especially as reigaTds the bunkering of overseas steamers, which usually absorbs a very larpre amount of coal. The mildness of the weather this winter has also resulted in decreased demand for household coal, consequently most of the local yards are well stocked. In view of these circumstances, and the fact that the Commonwealth authorities have now lifted the embargo on the export of coal to New ■Zealand, the Dominion is in a sufficiently safe position to justify the action taken.". tKo Minister expressed his recognition of the. gratuitous services of the coal committees which had assisted in administering the regulations. They had rendered valuable service to the State, and had given satisfaction to all with whom they had to ideal. The Minister briefly reviewed , the evente from ttie coal shortage id 1916 and the gazetting of regulations in February, 1917. "Since that time to the beginning of the present year the coal position has' been one causing the gravest concern, and bad not-substantial increases in the importation taken place—together with efficient distribution—to counteract the j persistent fallmg-off of the Dominion output, there is not the slightest doubt that severe financial lo&3 would have resulted, with consequent unemployment and distress. To. iHusfcrate the success which has attended the efforts of those associated -with the work, it has only to be pointed out that although in isolated cases some industries have had to somewhat curtail operations temporarily, generally our industries and services have been enabled to carry on. "I desire to take this opportunity," concluded Mr. Guthrie, "as present Minister in Charge' of- Coal Control,' to express on behalf of the Government its appreciation arid thanks to.members aoid secretaries of the Coal Trade Committees, their representatives, and the officer-in-charge and staff of the Coal Control Department, for the valuable services rendered, and for the excellent manner in which they have carried out their duties."