DUNEDIN COAL

Grey River Argus, 3 May 1944, Page 2

DUNEDIN COAL

DELIVERIES TO RESUME P.A. DUNEDIN, May 1.. Coal deliveries will be resumed in Dunedin to-morrcw. A decision to this effect was reached at a meeting this afternoon of the Dunedin and Suburban Coal Merchants Union after considering a telegram from the Mining Controller (Mr. C. H. Benney). which was sent in reply to a communication from the merchants. In his telegram Mr. Benney said that as there was unanimity on the question of using a lighter weight sack, he was firmly of opinion that consumers should not be inconvenienced or penalised by the refusal of merchants to deliver coal until the quantum of the subsidy had been determined by the Government. Accordingly he asked the union and individual merchants to rescind their resolution and to agree voluntarily to deliver coal in a lighter weight sack, and to allow a reasonable time for a settlement of the subsidy question. “This is a reasonable request, and it is the merchants’ duty to serve the public,” Mr. Benney added. “As I have a duty imposed on me in this regard by the emergency regulations. I must .ask for an immediate reply.” The meeting decided to send the following telegram to the Mining Controller: “Merchants are agreeable to recommence deliveries so as not to further inconvenience the public. If a fair subsidy is not received by May 12. as promised , by you, merchants will have no alternative but to take further action.”