PRICE OF COAL

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9717, 20 July 1917, Page 5

PRICE OF COAL

ANOTHER INCREASE NEXT WEEK. BOARD OF TRADE TO MAKE INQUIRIES. Coal is going up 2s per ton nett week, said the Minister for Alines, tho Hon. AV. D. S. MacDonald, in the (House of Rcipre:(entatives yedtorday afternoon. The statement was made following on a. question by Mr T. AX. Wilford, as to why the price of coal was still going up. Was the Minister going to do anything to meet this? Mr MacDonald explained that the increase in the cost of getting_ the coal was considerably over that which ruled some time ago. There had been 20 per cent, increase in wages, 2s 6d increase per ton in freight, there was the increase in tho wages to wharf labourers, and other increases, which were fairly heavy. There were other difficulties in the present production of coal. A great number of efficient workers wero away at the front- There was » great difference, however, between the price charged by the State and by private firms. A few weeks ago the Minister had sent a letter to tho Board of Trade asking for a full inquiry into tho present cost of coal and the charges to the public. Air Payne, member for Grey Lynn, asked the AXinistor if it was not a fact that although the 20 per cent, increase in wages seemed largo it merely meant an increase of 6d per ton on coal.' The Minister said this was so, but it was only portion of tho increased cost. On the selling price the State coal had a margin only of 2d per ton. He understood there was going to be another 2s per toll increase in coal next week. Ho was quite sure that the inquiries made would show whether any coal sellers were making more than they should.