COAL SHORTAGE

Evening Star, Issue 18336, 25 July 1923, Page 6

COAL SHORTAGE

STILL SERIOUS IN CHRISTCHURCH,

YARDS PRACTICALLY BARE. [Special to tii/c ‘Star.’] CHRISTCHURCH, July 24. I he optimism in the coal trade over the outlook for an increase in supplies received a nasty jolt this morning. A cable message announced that some of the Maitland miners have refused to sign the agreement with tho employers and resume work, so the relief from the coal famifie in Christchurch may bo as far off as ever unless Australia, can come to the rescue with supplies. “The scarcity in Christchurch will become much worse before the winter is over,” said a coal merchant to a ‘Sun’ reporter. “The yards in Christchurch practically are bare. Influenza amongst the miners in tho West Coast has cut down the output from that quarter. We are dealing now from hand lo tnouib. If only the people would make, a, serious, attempt'(o burn slack it would relievo the situation.”

Only limited quantities of coal have been railed to Christchurch through the tunnel. More could he railed through if the trucks were available. A merchant produced correspondence from agents and mines no (lie West Coast complaining that they arc nnablo to give delivery of supplies because the Railway Department lias not enough trucks on hand. Unfortunately the usual type of truck used on the Coast is of (he hopper shape. In loading into steamers the coal is released from the bottom; but these trucks arc not suitable for haulage to Christchurch. Moreover, because of influenza, which is now becoming worse on the Coast, steamers loading coal have been held up for intervals. Some corn has been received from Australia since the trouble in the mines on the other side of (ho Tasman, hut not from the Maitland fields, which are the main source of supply in ordinary periods. That is why the continuance of trouble in that quarter go much concerns the distributing trade and public in Christchurch.

CAUSE 07 SHORTAGE. REDUCED IMPORTS AND THE ’FLU. [From Our Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, July 24. “Reduced imports and influenza amongst miners during the past month have caused a very large decrease in the output of coal in New; Zealand mines, and I think that is the principal cause of the, dearth of that commodity all over the dominion,” said the Hon. G. J. Anderson, Minister of Mines, in the House, to-day, in reply to a question by Mr Witty.

It was stated by ille member for Riccarton that there was a good deal of grumbling in Christchurch by people unable to obtain supplies of coal, and they blamed the shortage to the prevalence of influenza.

The Minister staled that last Friday and Saturday week 108 tons of coal were carried through the Otira tunnel, and supplies were also being brought by sea, nno boat loading 200 tons at, Greymouth for Lyttelton. An order bad .also been placed at Rccfton, and if that turned out satis-' factorily further orders would bo given. Rccfton screened coal was dearer in proportion than State coal, and it would have to lie sold at a higher price to cover the expense. Tho first fatal accident at the Liverpool mine had occurred, and there had been no work there on Saturday in consequence. For various reasons' the State mine’s output had been reduced this month by 1.000 ions, there being a largo number of miners sick with influenza. There had been a serious decline tins month in coal production, but for the quarter ended June 30, as compared with the quarter ended March 1923, there had been a total increase of 52,692 tons, including 1d,655 tons of bituminous and seini-bitum.inopis, and’ 35,350 of brown coal, and 4,68 rof lignite. Importations showed a decrease of 51,539 lons, and exportations for bunkers an increase of 38,931. “ I am much afraid,” continued the Minister, “that the production has shown serious decline during July, especially on tho West Coast of tho South Island, duo to the largo number of miners sick.” The Minister thou gave interesting figures showing how tho importations of coal from overseas had seriously decreased. THE WORST OVER. Reports from most of the mines received in Dunedin to-day indicate that the worst is over, and that production .should get back to normal in (ho next few weeks. At one West Coast mine there were 100 miners absent yesterday, and most of the mines in Otago and Southland have been similarly affected. Tho shortage in (his country lias been accentuated, too, by (lie strike in Australia, this imposing a restriction on the amount of coal imported. The strike (rouble seems to be almost settled in Australia, and it should not be long before. the regular consignments arrive again. ’Flu has been the solo trouble of the shortage in New Zealand.