COAL SUPPLIES.

Northern Advocate, 11 February 1920, Page 5

COAL SUPPLIES.

THE ATTITUDE OF GOVERN ME NT.

STATEMENT BY MR MASSEY

WELLINGTON, Feb. 10

Complaint was recently made by the Month Canterbury Coal Merchants' and Dealers' Association that the present basis of allotment of supplies of coal placed retail dealers on the bottom of the list- A resolution to that effect was f° rwarded t0 th ~ J Prime Minister (Rt. Hon. W. F Massey), and it was suggested ithat all but essential railway services should be abolished, so that larger supplies could be given to retailers. Il t was pointed out that large stocks of coal were held in Christchurch by the Railway Department. i

In reply, Mr Massey has written to Mr H. J. Quarre.ll, secretary of the association, stating that it was a matter of extreme regret that, with the limited supplies of hard coal available for distribution, it was not possible meantime to accede to the request embodied in the resolution. '•GRAVE DANGER TO SERVICES." "With regard to the statement made relative to the quantity of «oal held by the Railway Department at Christchurch," Mr Massey continues, "I would point out that it is essential for the maintenance of the present railway service that adequate supplies be held in reserve; otherwise, with th° frequent interruptions in the source of supply, there would be a grave danger of services being dislocated to the detriment of the producing and manufacturing interests of the Domnion. Touching the reference made by your association to the running of excursion and oither trains during the recent holidays, I am convinced that, following on the long period of stress and anxiety to which the people of New Zealand have been subjected, the Government was fully justified in pro- . viding railway facilities to enable the public to obt£.:n the much-needed relaxation. "HOUSEHOLD SUPPLIES MUST SUFFER." "R'verting to the question of preference of allocation, your association ; will no doubt readily recognise ithe j importance of maintaining freezing works, shipping, and gas works, primary and manufacturing industries, on which the prosperity of the Dominion is so largely dependent,, in addition to the maintenance of railways and other public services, most of which are equally essential. At the present time, freezing and threshing operations are in full swing throughout th-* Dominion, and the greatest difficulty is being experienced in providing sufficient hard coal to enable them to carry on. Under such circumstances, it is inevitable that during the period when these industries are working at full pressure, supplies for household and other less essential purposes must suffer. The shortage in the allocation of hard coal for domestic requirements can in a measure be overcome by a more extensive use of the lignite and brown coals, together with coke and firewood. In order to illustrate the extreme shortage of hard coal it is only necessary to mention that the Government has found it necessary to purchase coal in South Africa, and two shipment:-, are now en route to New Zealand to assist in maintainin. freezng works, threshing plants, and other essential industries. In view j of the foregoing, I feel sure that your association will see that the best possible use is being made of the supplies of hard coal available, and ithe distribution of the same is fair and equitable and in the bi--national interests."