COAL SHORTAGE

Evening Star, Issue 25004, 25 October 1943, Page 2

COAL SHORTAGE

POSITION IN AUSTRALIA (N.Z.P.A. Special Aust. Correspondent) SYDNEY, October 23. Chaotic-transport ana industrial conditions would result if the Federal Government's instruction t 6 the NewSouth Wales State raihvays to reduce coal consumption by 8 ? 000 tons a week had to be put into full effect. This statement has been made by the New South Wales Railway Commissioner, Mr Harrigan, who said that the proposed reduction of 26 per cent, in the State railways' coal_ consumption would seriously affect industry. Goods of the highest priority at present occupied 96 per cent, of the available rolling stock. The proposed coal cut would result in many essential industries being short of vital supplies. Both the New-South Wales and South Australian State Governments have asked the Prime Minister, Mr J. Curtin, to review tho proposals for severely reduced railway-coal consumption. The South Australian Premier, Mr Thomas Playford, said that the proposed cut (1,600 tons a week for the South Australian railways) would so paralyse the life of the community that his Government could not accept the responsibility of implementing the proposals except at the express dictation of the Prime Minister.