BRITISH COAL SUPPLIES.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 72, 22 February 1940, Page 7

BRITISH COAL SUPPLIES.

TR ANSPORT DIFFICULTIES. (British Official Wireless.) Received February 22, 11.30 a.m. RUGBY, Feb. 21. In a statement on the British coal position, made in the House of Commons to-day, the Transport Minister (Captain E. Wallace) said the protracted had weather which had been experienced had resulted in an increased demand for coal and had seriously disorganised transport, especially in London and the south. Careful consideration had been given to the position, and it had been decided that an augmentation of the supplies of public utility undertakings should be carried out immediately. The Railway Executive Committee, therefore, hud been asked to provide transport for an extra 7000 tons of coal weekly, which will require 143 additional trains each week. As essential traffic cannot be sacrificed, accommodation can only be made at the expense of the passenger service. Captain Wallace said this would inevitably result in inconvenience to the travelling public. The Minister assured the House that energetic steps had been taken oil the railways and will he continued to meet the needs of the situation in the fullest measure. BERLIN COAL SHORTAGE. Received February 22, 9.15 a.m. BERLIN, Feb. 21. The continued coal shortage has resulted in a decree forbidding the supply of coal to places of entertainment. Manv cinemas are closed.