EMBARGO ON SHIPPING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17139, 19 April 1919, Page 9

EMBARGO ON SHIPPING.

SAILING OF MOERAKI.

NO PASSENGERS CARRIED'.

ALL BOOKINGS OEASE.

Australian and N.Z. Cable Association, CReed. 5.5 p.m.) SYDNEY, April 18.

The Moeraki sailed at seven o'clock last evening for Wellington with car'f;o only. The fares of passengers were refunded. All further bookings have been stopped. Many of the passengers expressed them' selves as keenly disappointed at their inability to reach New Zealand. DOMINION COAL SUPPLYAN INCREASING SHORTAGE, PROVISIONS FOR HOLIDAYS. [BT TELEGRAPH.OWN COMIESTONDEKT.J. WELLINGTON, Thursday. The dicision of the Minister fcr Public Health to refuse the admission of all vessels from Australia, was viewed -with concern by those who realise th<; importance of coal cargoes, at least, from Australia, being regularly delivered. However, the decision to admit, cargo vc>s?els, especially those with coal, provided they are not infected, and had clean bills of health on leaving port, somewhat mitigates the seriousness of the. position. From the Coal Committee it was" learned to-day that the reduction of or.tput and distribution that will follow tie closing of the New Zealand mines for the Faster holidays has now been provided [or, so far as the public services and industries are concerned, The task was, however; made very difficult by the stops,ge at the Millerton mine, but work was resumed there on Monday. During the period of the committee's activities, while the receipts of coal from New Zealand mines and by importation have fallen off, the demand has greatly increased. This is notable in the case of freezing; works, which, on March 31 last, had meat equivalent to over 5.'?5,C00 carcases in store and awaiting shipment. Since 1914, it has been estimated that there has been an annual shortage of coal from local mines and by importation of from 500,000 to 600,000 tons. When tlib figures for the year ended March 31 last are available, it is probable it will bo found that the shortage is very much greater than that of the years immediately preceding, and this notwithstanding the increased output of produce in which use of coal is indispensable. ■ - A very important factor in the coal situation in New Zealand is the demand for coal for bunkering coastal,'steamers, which must be kept going, because so many industries are served by them. The return of larce numbers of transports has also had the effect of a heavy' draft on supplies suitable for bunkering, and, - in addition, many outside vessels have had to call at Wellington for bunker supp'ics. Since the opening of the Panama Canal an important change has been made, in the Homeward itinerary of many overseas vessels. Formerly, those that would proceed from New Zealand, via the Cape or. Suez, would not require such full bunkers, as now going via Panama, which is a ruii* of 28 to 30 days, and no coaling station in between. The altered conditions, therefore, have increased the drain cn New Zealand coal resources.