N.Z. COAL SHORTAGE

Grey River Argus, 17 March 1945, Page 5

N.Z. COAL SHORTAGE

NO SPECIAL TRAINS AT EASTER P.A. ' WELLINGTON, March 16 There will be no long distance special passenger trains for holiday traffic during the forthcoming Easter holidays. Making this announcement, the Minister of Railways, Mr. Semple stated he regretted very much the necessity for this decision, but the plain fact was that the Railways Department’s coal stocks and supplies did not permit of catering -for heavy passenger traffic as well as for the movement of essential goods and livestock traffic. Recent interruptions in the train services in both islands from various causes had thrown the transport into arrears, and had been followed by a continual and exceptionally heavy demand for trains, resulting in the coal consumption exceeding the supplies being made available to the Department. Only a few days’ supply of coal was at present in hand, and during the holiday season, when less coal would be mined, the Department’s stocks must be husbanded to ensure that the essential train services required by industry immediately after Easter would not be jeopardised. The Minister appealed to the public to refrain from unnecessary travel during Easter, so that the trains which .were being provided would be available for those whose journeys were essential.