GOAL SHORTAGE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10508, 9 February 1920, Page 5

GOAL SHORTAGE

INDUSTRIES FIRST STATEMENT BY PR DIE 3IINISTER COAL PURCHASED IN SOUTH AFRICA.

Complaint was- recently made by the North Canterbury Coal Merchants’ and Dealers’ Association that the present basis of allotment of supplies of coal placed retail dealers on tho bottom of the list. A resolution to this effect was forwarded to tho Prime Minister (Rt. Hon. W. F. 3!a,ssey), and it was suggested that all hut. essential railway services should be abolished, so that larger supplies coujd bo. given tn retailers. Tt was pointed out that large stocks of coal wore held in Christchurch by tho Railway Department, In reply, Mr Massey has written to Mr H. J. Qnarrell, secretary of the association, stating that it was a matter l£ extreme regret that, with tho limited supplies of hard coal available for distribution, it. was not possible meantime to accede to tho request embodied in the resolution. "GRAVE DANGER TO SERVICES.”

“With regard to the statement made relative to tho quantity of coal held by the Railway Department at Christchurch,” 31r Massey continues. “I Would point out that it is essential for the maintenance of the present railway service that adequate supplies bo held in reserve; otherwise, with the frequent. interruptions in the source of supply, there would bo a grave danger of services being dislocated to the detriment of the producing and manufacturing interests of tho Dominion. Touching tho reference made by your association to the running of excursion - and other trains during tho recent, hclidiivs. I am convinced that, following on tho long period of stress and anxietv to which the people of New Zealand have been subjected, the Government was fully justified in providing railway facilities to enable the public to obtain tho much-needed relaxation. ‘‘HOUSEHOLD SUPPLIES MUST SUFFER.” ‘'Reverting to the question of preference of allocation, your association will no doubt readily recognise tho importance of maintaining freezing works, shipping and gas works, primary and manufacturing industries, qn wiiioh tho prosperity of tho Dominion as so largely dependent, in addition to the maintenance of railways and other public services, most of which aro equally essential. At the present time, freezing and threshing operations aro _in full swing throughout tho Dominion, and tho greatest difficulty is. being experienced in providing sufficient hard coal to enable them to cany on. Under such circumstances, it is. inevitable that daring tho period when these industries, are working at full pressure, supplies for household and other .less essential purposes must suffer. The shortage in the allocation of hard, coal for domestic requirements can in a measure bo overcome by a. more extensive use of the lignite and brown coals, together with "coke 'and firewood. In order to illustrate the extreme shortage of hard coal existing, it is only necessary to mention that tho Government has found it necessary to purchase coal in South Africa, and two shipments are now on route to New Zealand to assist in maintaining freezing works, threshing plants- and other essential industries. In view of tho foregoing, 1 fell sure that your association will sec that the best possible use is being made of the supplies c/ hard coal available, and that tho .distribullion of the same is fair and equitable and in the best national interests.” “EXPLOITING INDUSTRIES.” CHARGE AGAINST RAILWAY DEPART3IENT. A new factor has entered into tho coal situation, according to an article in the Christchurch “Sun,” which says that, whereas tho Railway Department has previously been accused of greed in the matter of securing stocks, there is non- -a, distinct grievance that it is exploiting industries by tho prices it charges for Australian coal which it alien's to be released. The department is allowing 700 tons of coal to go to the threshing industry from a surpniont brought by it in the Ngakuta from Newcastle. This coal cost about 45s a 'ton to land, but the department is charging distributors 60s per ton on trucks at Lyttelton, thus making a clear profit of 15s per ton, or £02 5 hy tho transaction. COAL AND TIMBER. 3VESTPORT HARBOUR BOARD RETURNS.

Tho secretary of the Westport Harbour Board forwards tho following coal and timber returns of tho port of Westport for the month of January, 1920: —• OUTPUT AKD EXPORT OP COAL PCJR JANUARY. 1920.

Output. Export. tons. cwt. tons cwt. Westport Co. (coal) 21,56) 0 17.758 ,12 Westport Co. (coke) 101 6 101 G Westport-Stockton Co 0,102 3 6.322 13 Coal Greek Party... 431 o ■131 .4 SecWonville Mine... 105 13 195 19 28,691 3 24,809 15

Of this amount 2272 tons were shipped to foreign ports. The export of timber was 115.362 sup. foot.