DEARER COAL

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10540, 17 March 1920, Page 4

DEARER COAL

A GENERAL INCREASE

ADVANCE OF 2s 6d PER TON. A general increase in the prioe of coal has been effected throughout New Zealand. A number of the West Coast mines have announced an increase of 2a 6d per ton in addition to the advance recorded recently to compensate for losses caused through the "go-slow" policy, and although there is no official information yet to hand, it is understood other companies are making a similar increase. The increases that will bo passed on by the retailers may not, however, be, the same as that effected by the mines, for it is claimed that they will have to make further increase to make up for higher interest and insurance charges. There is an opinion amongst those in the coal trade that there may also be an upward tendency shortly in the prices of Australian coal. *

A local coal merchant stated last evening that he had had an increase of half a crown passed on to him hy the southern companies with his latest shipment of coal, and himself had effected a, rise of 5s per ton in order to leave a reasonable amount of profit. He was now selling at Ss 6d per cwt -from the yard, and 3s 9d delivered.