THE REAL CAUSE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue LXXIV, 5 August 1919, Page 5

THE REAL CAUSE.

In addition to the portion of his statement telegraphed in reoly to Mr Semple, Mr McVilly said: "I have already placed a fulls and accurate statement of the bedrock facts in respect of the coal position before the public. It is unnecessary to recapitulate those facts. Suffice it to say the curtailment of the time-table has' betn brought about solely by the shortage of hard coa.J and by no other cause. "Apart altogether from its detrimental effect on trade, industries, convenience, and employment, the coal shortage has already been directly responsible for the loss of many thousands of pounds sterling m the revenue of the Railway Department. Such loss is the direct outcome of the curtailment of train services which the Railway Department has been forced to bring into operation for the sole purpose of saving coal, und at a time when there was every indication of a conriderable increatse in the traffic.

"Obviously, no State transport utility representing a capital of over £36,000----000 and dependent for its revenue on sale and performance of public transport would deliberately disregard its duty and refuse to take hold of revenue that was being freely .offered from end to end of its entire system "The Department is desirous of removing the present restrictions as quickly as possible. To that end it urgently requires ample supplies of hard coal. The assistance offered by business men in Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland, etc., is being gladly availed of, and if those who are now criticfsino' •the Department's method of distributing it s very meagre stock of coal, so that it may be made the best use of will come forward with practical assistancel, and practical suggestions as to where a good supply of hard coal can bo immediately obtained and the best steps to take to ensure further regular and ample supplies the Department will be glad to co-operate with them and they W iU unquestionably earn' the thar-ks and gratitude of every section 01 the community. "Meantime the Department is doing the utmost with the available coal to meet the crisis that has arisen from causes entirely beyond its control; and I feel it my duty to warn the public against allowing themselves to be misled by inaccurate and mischievous statements emanating from irresponsible sources."