OUTPUT AND MOVEMENT

Greymouth Evening Star, 13 February 1947, Page 7

OUTPUT AND MOVEMENT

ABSOLUTE PRIORITY TO COAL INDUSTRY EFFORT TO OVERCOME CRISIS (Rec. 2 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 12. The Cabinet statement said that the first meeting of the emergency committee was held to-day, when the meeting was advised that the situation remains dangerously critical. Savings of 33 per cent, coal consumption were secured at the power stations on February 10 and 36 per cent, yesterday. These savings were insufficient to bring the stocks up to the safety margin. The movement of coal by both sea and rail is still seriously interrupted by the weather. Absolute Priority.

Mr. Attlee emphasised that the production and movement of coal to meet the emergency must be regarded by all concerned as an absolute priority and the “effort to overcome the crisis must be planned and operated with the same speed and urgency as military operations during the war.” . Reuter’s understands that civilian workers engaged to . unload coal wagons and in other vital duties will be taken on through the labour exchanges. Notices will be posted, saying, for example, that 100 men are required at a specified place to unload coal. This is expected to give work to many unemployed through the emergency. Coal merchants will not be permitted to leave domestic supplies stored in railway wagons if the wagons are wanted elsewhere. Mr. Shinwell will, if necessary, be able to requisition the coal in order., to obtain the wagons he wants. . The Daily Mail, .in an editorial, says: “The crisis has come as a spur and challenge to everyone and should stimulate awareness of the perilously narrow margin on which we are living. Our appeal is made to the leaders and followers of all parties, but especially to the Government, who must rise above the rancours of groundlings.” Mr. Bevin Blamed. According to a Paris message, the moderate newspaper Parisien Libere, discussing Britain’s fuel crisis, says: “The whole world system might be shaken if means are not found to end it.” The newspaper adds that it Britain renounced her moderate Socialism other Western European nations might be induced to their political regimes,. but, it tne moderate elements were eliminated, a fierce fight between the Right Wing and Left Wing extremists would begin. The official Communist newspaper Humanite said Mr. Bevin is responsible for the crisis, because he sacrificed Britain’s home needs for the sake of maintaining 1,500,000 men under arms.”