MUNITIONS & SUPPLIES

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 10027, 19 July 1918, Page 7

MUNITIONS & SUPPLIES

WORK OF THE DEPARTMENT

CONTROL OF PETROL AND COAL

The Minister for Munitions and Supplies (the Ron. Arthur M. Myers), in speaking to a "Times" representative, stated, that in addition to handling matters connected with the control of coal distribution, priority permits, and the buying of military supplies, his department was concerned,, with the control and distribution of petrol; m regard to which the Board of Trade was acting in an advisory capacity to the Minister. Commenting on the Petrol Regulations recently published, Mr Myers stated that thoy were liexible in their application, and this would enable him to meet varying requirements. MILITARY ."SUPPLIES.

The position to date in regard to the buying of supplies required for, military purposes during the calendar, year, 1918, was as follows: — £ ) Estimate for the year 1,300,000 Value of orders placed to date 789,009* Balance still to be purchased if required 511,000

The value of the business placed to date had been distributed as under: — Auckland, £l-14,820; Wellington, £863,225; Canterbury, £124,293; Otago, £156,662. Speaking generally, said the Minister, the conditions still prevailed which made it impossible for advantageous purchases to be made by the tender system in all cases. As a result of this, the department had compileda complete Register of Suppliers of various lines, and of necessity was purchasing direct from primary . sources of supply where possible. PRIORITY PERMITS.

As the war continued the business [in respect to priority permits continued to increase in volume and importance. It was now found necessary for the Minister, on behalf of the' Nei> Zealand G<;> til ment,. to make representations to Canada, the '• United' iStates, India, and Australia;,: in the same way as was done last year in respect of New Zealand orders placed in the United Kingdom. The department had spared no effort to assist New Zealand importers in making good their shortages in essential lines, but _ i* l would >;»)■ appreciated that its action frequently was taken in, the light of confidential information, and this occasionally precluded insistent representations being made. .....'..'", coal distribution. .<■'■•

"As regards the distribution of coal (Mr -Myers remarked), the figures submitted to me by the Goverment Statistician show a steady depletion of stocks throughout the Dominion. At this time of the year the consumption of coal, reaches its highest poipt. Tho shortage of fuel is ■ most felt in hard coal supplies, and this is being met by encouraging a more extensive use ;of lignite coals, it can be stated, with credit to tho country, that up to date every enterprise concerned has lent; itself readily to the directions J. hate found it necessary to make, and this attitude on tho part of coal-consumers has contributed largely to the fact that no activity so far has ceased to operate for lack of coal. In normal times, New Zealand relies on large quantities of imported coal boing made available io meet its full demands. It -will bo understood that under war conditions the greatest difficulty is being experienced in. securing sufficient tonnage to supplement the full requirements of the New Zealand coal consumers. As a result of this, the concentration of a substantial proportion of the tonnage available on. tho carriage of coal from Newcastle is necessary, and this action is correspondingly felt in tho inability of shipping companies to give the fullest ' attention to some, .other lin.es, notably hardwood." In,, ijilis connection, however, thv. Minister expressed a hope that when the summer months' approached he would be in a position to more favourably regard the relen.=" of pome tonnage from coal carrying, as a temporary relief to those interested is other essential lines.