THE COAL SHORTAGE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17151, 3 May 1919, Page 8

THE COAL SHORTAGE.

THREE COLLIERS ARRIVE,

CARGOES TOTAL 8000 TONS,

FOR PRESSING NEEDS ONLY.

Three colliers carrying approximate 8000 tons of coal reached Auckland yes. terday, the Kaifangat* and Wanafcj arriving from Newcastle, and the Kokiri from Westport. While this coal will ne .p to relieve the most pressing needs of tha moment, the quantity is "far too small to make any appreciable difference in th general situation. Storks of coal at land are so low that it, would take man? thousands of tons to give the large <-„/ semen a margin of safety. The Westport Coal Company has not been as short of coal locallv for a numb°r of years, Itj nu [j. usually bold sufficient quantity to supply ordinary demands, but at present they aw empty. 'I he Kaituna had been expected from Westport with over 30C0 tons at the end of the week, but advice received yesterday stated that the mines had been' idle tor three days this week, and that she would not be despatched for Auckland until next ■week. The Kokiri will commence to discharge her cargo to-day, but the Wanaka and Kaitangata will have to undergo a quarantine detention, and probably will not start to discharge befcre Monday. The Kokiri and the Kaitangata will dischyw at the Hobson Wharf and the kanaka at Chelsea. It is understood that thesa cargoes will be portioned out to tha various consumers in order to meet their most urgent requirements. Two further shipments of cv>al are now on their way to Auckland. The Waiporf left Newcastle at nrd-day on Wednesday and is due here on Tuesday. The War Opal, which is due here day, has coal for Auckland, but it is • nderstood she on'y has sufficient to coal the Home liner Corinthic, which arrived from Wellington last night.

SUPPLIES FROM NEWCASTLE.

POSITION OF NEW ZEALAND

[BY telegraph.— PßESS association-.]

WELLINGTON'. Friday. Referring to the announcement that the Federal Government has decided to com. mandeer all coa] in the Commonwealth the Hon. A. M. Myers stated to-day that as far as he could judge at the moment the Dominion's supply from Newcastle would not be detrimentally affected, as it was not anticipated the output from the mines wopld be reduced. The recent strikes in Newcastle had given considerable cause for anxiety, but from inform"*?;)!] received he understood the bulk of the mines had resumed work, and he hoped a regular supply would soon be •gain coming to hand from this source. Further, every endeavour was being made to arrange for oversea ships en rout* to the Dominion, both via America fjid Australia, to pick up cargoes of coal. The recent epidemic and the strike at Millerton, together with the continued stoppage of work at the Green Island mines, Otago, had accentuated the acute shortage of coal which had existed during the past two years in practically every part of tha Dominion. Every possible effort was being made, however, concluded Mr, Myers, to do the best possible in the national interests with the supplies that were coming to hand