COAL DISTRIBUTION.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LIV, Issue LIV, 19 August 1920, Page 6

COAL DISTRIBUTION.

('To the Editor.)

Sir,—.Some time ago I wrote to the Mail calling attention to the very -high price charged for coal in this city, which was proving a hardship, especially to the- poorer people this cold weather. My object in writing was to elicit from some of your readers if anyone was receiving an undue or unfair profit, and if so, wlin was getting it; and if any relief could lx; afforded consumers. An impression exists that the extra'wages paid to the miners, increased shipping, freights, etc., would not account for the very high price ruling for coal. If, under the circumstances, the price considered reasonable, I think that the public aiv entitled to have the facts placed before them, in order that they may form an opinion, and that any dnisapprehension existing might be removed. 1 have it: on what I deem good authority t-haL good household coal’(free of .stone and dirt) can he purchased at 27s bd per ton at Reef ton. and -could bo landed j here at a. price considerably below thatj ruling, - The Controller, 'however, will j not ucrmii U'mt Coast coal for house-1 hold purposes to be imported to Nel-1 son. Ho stated, in reply to an appli-j cation for such permission, that Nelson| was being well served by North Capoj and Fuppnga coal, and that the appii- j cation could not be granted. A plain; statement of facts regarding the cost, of the coal, from the D me it leaves thc | mines until delivered to 1-he con-! sumers, would be of interest to many, 1 including, yours truly, j W. LOOK, j