COAL SHORTAGE.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume X, Issue 47, 7 February 1920, Page 5

COAL SHORTAGE.

ADVICE TO CONSUMERS. USE OF WOOD AND CQKE URGED. With a view of promptly settling local, matters connected with the distribution of supplies of coal in . the Hawke’s Bay district, the 'Wellington Coal-trade Committee, I which controls the distribution of | all supplies in the Wellington and Hawke’s Bay provinces, recently ; sent representatives to Napier to. confer with the parties interested. I As a result, a local Advisory Committee, consisting of Messrs P. J. ] Ryan (chairman), T.‘ Barry and C. ' H. Edwards, together witn Mr. h. I C. Pirie, as hon. secretary, was set up to distribute, under the jurisdiction of the Wellington Committee, all coal coming into the . Hawke’s Bay district. The acute shortage of coal, accentuated as a result of the “goslow” policy, has called into operation the need of strict economy and also close surveillance over the distribution of supplies, so that our industries can be kept going dislocation and loss to wage earners, avoided. In this connection, any industry which might be jeopardised as a result of the shortage in supplies is advised to represent the position to the local Advisory Committee who will make preliminary inquiries and, if possible, afford temporary relief. Owing to' the great difficulty at present being experienced in giving out thp available supplies to keep the wheels of industry moving, those industries that can use wood or coke as a substitute or as an adjunct to their coal supplies, should immediately arrange for use of same in order to conserve the available supplies of coal as much as possible. In cases of sickness special facilities will be given for obtaining supplies of coal and any such cases should be at once reported to the Advisory Committee, who will give same immediate attention.

Householders are also requested to lay in stocks of firewood and coke so that they will have fuel available for the coming winter.

CONFERENCE CALLED. MASSEY TO BE CHAIRMAN. Westport, Feb. 7. A special Wellington message to the Westport “Times,” announces a compulsory conference at Wellington next Tuesday regarding the coal question, with four representatives from each side. The Hon., W. F. Massey will be chairman. NOT COMPULSORY. Wellington, Feb. 7. It is announced that in connection with the coal mining dispute, the Prime Minister has arranged to meet a conference of representatives or the New Zealand Coal Mineowners’ Association and representatives of the Executive of the Miners’ Federation next Wednesday in Wellington. When the telegram from Westport was referred to Mr. Massey, he said: ‘ ‘lt was incorrect in saying that the conference was tp be compulsory and was to be held on Tuesday.”