TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXIV, Issue 120, 19 April 1944, Page 2

TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS

COAL SHORT AG E CONTINUES. (Special.) WELLINGTON, April 19. On the basis of the present coal supplies to the New Zealand railways and the weekly rate of consumption, the indications are that it will be some time before it will be possible for the department to build up sufficient reserves to enable full rail services to be reinstated. It is estimated that the coal stocks for the North Island on April 17 were only 11,000 tons and in the six days ended on that date 6168 tons had been received into the depots. Consumption for the same period was 6280 tons, which shows that. even by operating a restricted timetable, the department, is faced with a serious problem. The operation of the full timetable involves a consumption of 13,000 tons of coal weekly in the North and South Islands.

A good deal of concern has been expressed as to the effect of the travel restrictions on school children during the coming holidays. On inquiry, it was ascertained that, much as the department would like to case the restrictions, that' course under the present circumstances would not be fair to the other sections of the community, particularly the men and women manpowcred into positions away from their homes who have not been able to travel during this period. It was also officially pointed out thai, much as the department sympathised with the school children, the coal position was such that it would be impossible to carry all who would want W travel.