LAGGING BEHIND

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 20836, 15 July 1942, Page 3

LAGGING BEHIND

COAL PRODUCTION AUSTRALIAN WAR NEEDS * 5,000,000 TONS EXTRA (9.30 a.m.) SYDNEY, July 15. Although Australian coal production is showing a considerable increase on last year’s figures, .it is not keeping pace with the demands oi the war effort. This has been revealed by the Federal Coal Commissioner, Mr. N. R. Mighell. The commissioner will submit a report to the Supply Minister, Mr. J. Beasley, comparing the production with the consumption and .the losses due to all causes up to the end of June. It is believed that Mr. Mighell’s report will show a substantial discrepancy between .the supply and demand. On the present figures, it is thought that about 12,000,000 tons will be produced this year, representing an increase of 500,000 tons on 1941 apd a considerable improvement on pre-war production. Unless a further speedingup is effected, the actual demand this year is believed likely .to be 1,000,000 tons in excess of .the anticipated production. While there has been an obvious sincere desire on the part of both the miners and the mine-owners to obviate labour disputes in .the industry, wide disappointment is expressed that .the peace code formulated recently has not so far achieved results in building up production.