LACKOF COAL

Grey River Argus, 27 February 1943, Page 6

LACKOF COAL

Auckland Gas Shortage RATIONING THREATENED

AUCKLAND, Feb. 26. Last night, owing to a lack of suitable coal, the Auckland Gas Company had only thirty inches of gas in its main holder. So serious has the *upply position become that the company has forwarded a telegram to the Minister of Mines. Hon. P, C. Webb, urging immediate relief. At the company’s annual meeting to-day, or the motion of Mi Alex Harris, a resolution was carried unanimously as follows: “That the company views with grave concern the total inadequacy of coal supplies to the company, resulting in a serious curtailment of output, and threatening vital war production; and expresses the view that the company’s importance entitles it to deliveries of suitable coal to n} ain ‘ tain at least minimum production. “Coal had been one of our greatest problems during the year,” said the chairman, Mr V. J. Larner It has been in short supply throughout. The quality of the coal has been below standard, and the company had heen unable to obtain sufficient Newcastle coal for proper blending. Recently the company required to unload coal boats on Sundays and on holidays at double time rates in order to 'secure a quick turn-round of ships. The company’s position has for a long time been well-known to the Government, but, in spite of all efforts, the result to-day is that the company has a handful of coal in store, and, unldhl; The consumers help immediately, it will have no alternative to drastically rationing the supply.”