OUR COAL TRADE BALKED.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 3438, 20 May 1898, Page 2

OUR COAL TRADE BALKED.

Some time ago paragraphs appeared In the newspapers referring to the possibilities of trade being done with the East in New Zealand coal. No notice was taken of them at the time perhaps, but the fact is that a trade of this kind could be conducted on a very large scale, and one that would be greatly profitable to this colony. Proof of this statement is supplied by information which has recently reached the Premier. It seems that not long ago orders were received for about 10,000 tons of Westport coal for the E ist. That is to say, there was a straight-out demand for 5000 tons, with contingent orders which would have brought it Up to the quantity named. Following on that there would undoubtedly have been a continued trade in our coal, seeing that at the sources from which the order was given there are indications of a strong preference for the New Zealand article as against others available. Inquiry proved, however, that the necessary shipping facilities were nob obtainable. The Westport sellers were both willing and able to supply the coal, but could not arrange for its transport except on terms that would have made the transaction commercially impossible. Consequently they could not fulfil the order, alid the colony’s producing interest was barred from a profitable market, so that a national injury was sustained. This is a condition which the coal-mine corners of the colony should endeavour to change at once. At present they are shut out from business abroad because the steamers that trad* to and from New Zealand ate mostly under contract in one way or another with the New South Wales mines, and our only chance (a very slender one) of participating in foreign trade is that of chartering sailing ships-. If New Zealand coal is to satisfy the demand for it which exists in the Bast, improved transport facilities must be provided at once. And the necessity for such a provision is clearly indicated by the circumstance we have quoted. A very large order has not been fulfilled, and all its profitable consequences ba?e been lost, because the steamship proprietaries, boing bound to other interests, would not quote reasonable terms. If that oonditioU is to prevail, either the owners of coal mines or the Government must provide facilities for conveying the coal which is wanted in such large quantities to the port of demand. Otherwise our coal trade will be confined to the colony and all its great possibilities be left undeveloped.