COAL SUPPLIES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20781, 29 July 1929, Page 8

COAL SUPPLIES.

It was comparatively easy for the leaders of the Labour Party in Great Britain, when they were not in office, to argue in favour of reforms in the coal-mjning industry. It is less easy for them, now that they are charged with the responsibilities of office, to effect those .very reforms \Vhich they had described as vitally necessary. The Miners' Federation is demanding the immediate abolition of the'eight hours’ Systehi, higher minimum wages, and a national wages agreement based on the cost of living. But the condition of the I’mining 1 ’ mining industry is such that the concession of these demands might actually imperil its existence. The industry in Great Britain is faced with competition of an intensity of which there was no warning in the pre-war period. The supplies of coal throughout the world now exceed the 1 world’s requirements of coal. The mines of Europe, as they stand, could produce ,25 per cent, more coal than is needed. The circumstance is one that has a very clear heaving on the economic, position of the British mines. It is the outcome of various factors. The disorganisation due to the war, the British coal strike of 1925, and interruptions in the supply of coal have brought other sources of energy into increased use.. Moreover, European countries that were usually dependent on imported coal found it necessary in those times of scanty supply to develop their own mines, even if the coal was inferior to what they could get from abroad. This development has naturally been productive of an international competition for markets,and- this, in its turn, has affected the level of prices. The European court-, tries that are principally concerned in the .competition arc Great Britain, Germany, and Polaud, each of which has been' led to adopt various devices that would give an artificial stimulus to the industry. The Economic. Committee of the League of Nations is engaged at the present time in an effort to arrive at a formula by means of which the industry may -be internationally organised and regulated. It has,proposed that there should be a series of'international agreements between the producing countries involving some fair allocation of markets with fixation of prices as has already been done by the Steel Cartel in which Germany, France, and Belgium are associated. This would involve the rationalisation of the world's coal industry in a way similar to, but with a wider scope than, the national schemes of rationalisation, of various industries that have been adopted. At least one difficulty about arranging a fair allocation of markets among the coal exporting countries suggests itself. If, for instance, it were agreed that Britain should not export more than, say, 85,000,000 tons of coal annually, it would be necessary to allocate that supply among the different collieries. That is, however, a matter of detail. If a coal cartel between the .chief coal exporting countries of Europe is

practicable, the effect of the adoption of it would be to avoid the evils of unrestricted competition and place the industry on a much more and satisfactory basis. Under the existing organisation, however, the industry in Great Britain is not so flourishing that iUis certainly capable of bearing heavily increased costs of production.

An extensive slip came down on the Central Otago line between Deep Stream and Flat Stream on Saturday morning, causing a suspension of all through traffic. The morning train returned to Dunedin, but the Railways Department despatched another train at 1 p.m., which' ran as far as the slip, where passengers, mails, and goods were transferred to another train on the Cromwell side. The train which usually leaves for Central Otago at 7.52 a.m., will not run to-day, but a train will leave at 1' p.m., -and will run as far as the slip, where arrangements have been made for ,the transhipment of such passengers as wish to ti'avel further on. As it will probably be several days before the slip is removed this procedure .Will be followed until the line is again clear. The criminal sessions of the • Supreme Court will continence before Mr Justice Kennedy to-morrow morning. A fine i type of modern cargo carrier is the motor ship Port Gisborne, which ar rived at Dunedin yesterday from New York, by way of northern New Zealand ports. The vessel,, which is a unit of the Commonwealth and Dominion Line, made a smart passage from New York to Auckland. This; its the Port Gisborne’s fifth voyage,. but it is the first time she' has visited Dunedin. The - vessel is a sister ship to the Port Fremantle,, and was built at Newcastle-on-Tyne two years ago. Her tonnage is 8001. gross and.she is capable of a speed .of 15 _ knots. On her present voyage she sailed from New .York on Jfine 10,- and cleared Panama-on Jiine 22. The running time from New York to the Hahraki Gulf was 25 days 1 hour-10 minutes, at an average speed of 14.2 knots, The time from Balboa to Auckland was 19 days 2 hours 33 minutes," the average speed being 14.3 knots.

Four delightful studies of the koala, or Australian native bear, make up the front; page of the illustrated section of the Otago. Witness to be published to-morrow. Thebears are depicted iti various poses and strike an .original note. A descriptive article in the letterpress accompanies them. The rest of the issue is chiefly characterised by variety, aud includes such divers subjects as “ Wellington and Oamaru Poultry Shows/-’ “ Visit of the Southland Farmer's to the Wairarapa District,” “Otago Basket. Ball Union’s Annual Tournament,” and Graduates of the Otago University, 1929.” Reminders of the earthquake are in the groups “Sir Charles and Lady Fergusson in the Earthquake Zone,” “ The Earthquake Damage at Westport,” and “ Earthquake Dangers at Nelson/’ recent flood pictures are from South Canterbury and Middlemarch, sport is represented by “Kaikorai defeats University A at Rugby Football,” “ Some Champion Golfers of New: Zealand,” and “Australian Hockey Players Visit New Zealand and current evens ate “ Byrd Antarctic Expedition Dogs 'it Mount Cook,” “ Sir Douglas Mawsor Receives a £IO,OOO Cheque,” “Sir Truby ■■ King 'in Sydney,” and “ Shark-proof Beaches.” , The Port Chalmers Shipwright- Company is the successful tenderers for. the building of a cruiser yacht for a yachtsman in the city. The new craft, which' is of the keel type, will have a length of 33 feet with a beam of 7ft Sin. - The overhang forward and aft will- enhance her appearance. On the 24 feet waterline her draught will be four feet, and this will enable her to visit all the picturesque nooks of the harbour. Provision is made for shipping-an outboard motor in calm weather, ’

The young Scotsman named William Morrison, -around whom some controversy has raged, is to be . released from, the Hamilton Prison at once, and will be .the guest of the Rev, H. 15. Jones, vicar, of Frankton (says oUr special correspondent in Auckland), Mr Jones has received the. following telegram from .the Minister of Justice (Mr T/M. Wilford)Are you prepared to take charge of William Morrison. If,so, he will.be released,immediately,”" On receipt of-the Minister’s telegram Mr, Jones promptly Replied? that he would take charge of Morrison, Morrison wais sentenced by justices of the peace on July *l6 to one month’s imprisonment on a fcharge of vagrancy. He pleaded that he wa& not a. criminal, and could not find work anywhere. In many. quarters the ’sentence, was regarded as severe, and a question regarding the case was asked in the House. The Minister of Justice promised to make investigations. To the many roles which the Rev. J. K. Archer has been called upon to: fill since he became Mayqr of Christchurch must now be added that of matrimonial agent (says the Lyttelton Times). As Mayor of the city he receives requests ot many kinds, but one which came to him on Friday morning from England “takes the cake,” to use his own words. The request is from a woman 29 years of age, who desires to enter into correspondence, with a New Zealand man between 30 and 40 years of age, preferably one with a private income. She states that her qualifications are that she is tall and dark, has a keen sense of humour. Is thoroughly domesticated, and not afraid of work, though she does not wish to have too much of it to do. 'lf any of our single men would like to correspond with the lady' I will bo pleased to, supply them with her address,” the Major remarked.

t»7Mv Ur youths —Frederick Peter Gow, William Thomas Km-, James Matthew Mount, and Lionel John Richardson, charged with behaving in v ah offensive manner, were; silent befoi’e the magistrate at Wellington on Friday, when he asked them if they had anything to say. The sub-inspector of police had' explained that a young woman, returning home from the pictures, was spoken to by one of them when passing a restaurant. Evidently he seemed to believe, that’he got an answering smile.''As the young woman proceeded on her way the youths followed on motor cycles and kept asking if they could take her home, but she kept on. Halfway down Lambton quay all left her but one. This one, at.Molesworth,street, cut in front of her as she was crossing the road and caused her to stop. A constable came in sight and the young woman went to speak to him, whereupon the youth made off. The conduct of the youths, however, had been noted by three other men in Lambton quay; and they had taken , the number, of the machines. Apparently it is the habit, the sub-inspec-tor, said, of' a certain class of motor cyclist to ride about the streets and accost young women with a view to getting them to go riding at night. In this case they caused the young woman considerable annoyance and their conduct was very offensive. The magistrate made no comment. As the youths stood silent he fined them each a matter of f 5.

It was freely stated during a discussion at the annual-conference of the .New Zealand Farmers' Union that sheep-stealing was rife in many parts of New Zealand, and several instances wore quoted. A Poverty Bay delegate said that he knew personally of a mob of 800-sheep, placed in a paddock hear a homestead, being taken over-night, and never found. Sheep stolen’ were never immediately sold, and farmers in his district had come to the conclusion that there must be more than one engaged in the theft—one who received the stolen animals and held them for some months. Another delegates said that a- neighbour had had sheep stolen five years in succession, and another said that his two sons had lost 400 sheep. The matter had been placed in the hands of detectives, who said that frequently farmers left the reporting of thefts far tbo long. The last speaker on -the subject suggested that in cases of sheepstealing trial should be. before a jury composed of farmers,, and the idea appeared to find favour.

A legal firm wrote to the meeting of the Wairarapa Secondary Education Board on' Thursday night with reference to the injury suffered by a pupil at the High School as the result of a laboratory explosion. Expenses in connection with the ■ injury were considerable, and the board was asked either to pay .these, or to arrange for payment by the department. The letter pointed out that the.; matter could hardly-be allowed to rest there. The girl' was undoubtedly .entitled to a substantial sum for the injury. Mr A. D. Low commented that the board- could not commit itself in any way nor could |t commit the department. “What is our position? ” asked a member. The secretary (Mr H. M. Boddington); No liability whatever.' Mrs T. It. Barror commented that there was no legal liability, but any moral liability there might be was a different matter. The letter was received, the board accepting no liability. Reductions in Customs tariffs as the first steps in a policy to relieve laud settlement difficulties were advocated; by Jit A. A. RossNn a lecture'delivered.before the Economic -Society at Auckland. • Largeareas .of land, as fertile as any hitherto cultivated, were still lying idle, Mr Ross said. The question was, hpw to bring back the days'when-the.larger proportion of the population outside mining were' flocking to the backblocks, thus "stimulating production, trade, and the growth of the cities. It could not be done by telling the people about the prosperity of the farmers and urging them to be optimistic. Mr. Ross, maintained that it was not a reduction in the price of land that was ' needed so much as improvements in farming conditions, and these were now being effected. It was now quite possible Jo break in land which could not be econo-, mieally • looked at a few yeads ago. The trouble was that world prices tended to fa|l and'costs were increasing and were being passed on to the primary producers. .Manufacturers and workers were all able to relieve themselves of,this burden by increased prices and wages, but the farmer .was handicapped’because his prices were fixed on the world parity. In declaring the Wellington Radio Exhibition open last week, the Postmastergeneral (Mr J, B. Donald) said'that years ago radio was but an infant)'biit it was A lusty one, and already its. voice was heard in, 44,000 homes in the. Dominion. Five years ago there were, only 3000 .licenses, which showed how the infant hadgrown. Radio was now part of everyday ■ life, used primarily as a meanp of broadcasting news and entertainment. • Only recently the value of radio bad been demonstrated in. another direction, when it provided the only means of communication with districts striken by the earthquake. There were difficulties on the administrative side, as everyone, knew, and it Was . hard to provide programmes which gave satisfaction to the majority. / That was' only natural, but at the same ’ time the rights of the minority had to be respected. Popular modern music might make a wide appeal, but the educational valiie'of classical music must not be overlooked. . He and. his department were the custodians of public interest, and everything possible would be done to keep abreast of thetimes. From s the Postal- Conference in London and from his observations in Eng- / .land and America; the secretary of .the department would, he hoped, be able to bring back many '.valuable' suggestions.

What is a “ private car ” and what is a “business-car? ” The matter was under consideration at' a ’meeting -of the North , ■lsland Motor Union’s executive ; on Thursday evening,-Vhen it was decided (says 1 the Evening Post) . that better definitions were required. It was estimated that 70 ■ per cent, of car owners described their vehicles.as “private cars” When,. taking out their third party insurances. A tetter on the, subject was deceived from the Minister of Transport.(Mr W. A. Veitch), who said be would be pleased to receive Suggestions relative to the matter, Finally, it was decided to send to the Minister of' Transport the following definitions, sug- ■ gested / by Mr Duff: “ A private car ifl one which 'is used "substantially for private .use. A business car is one which hs Substantially for business purposes'.” ' “So long as oldiwooden buildings arc permitted to stand -sandWichfed; between concrete and brick buildings in-congested areas, and the System obtains of dividing 'walls in brick buildings by means.of light .Wooden partitions, lined in m4ny eases with scrim and paper, neither, life nor property can be safe,” said Superintendent' J., Creeke, in a .report, to the Wellington, Pire Board, recommending a drastic revision of the building by-laws. “The use of common light areas in the centre of, a block of buildings should not bfe'permittcd without ample provision -of fire-resisting shutters being-made-Tor, the prevention of a fire spreading-to a conflagration, I would go further and suggest that adjoin- . ing owners should not be allowed to construct common light areas in the back ’ or side boundary line of. sections. .The area, in my opinion, should be confined within each individual property with a dividing ' brick or concrete fire wall.” The report is to be sent on to the Wellington City Council. j The imperative-need for the inauguration of an adequate steamer set-vide between Melbourne and the South Island of New Zealand is strikingly illustrated by the difficulties . under, which supplies of South Australian oranges are now being obtained (says the Lyttelton Times). At this period of the year South Australian navel oranges are, in keen demand on" account of their excellent quality, but owing to the temporary withdrawal of the Manuka from the Bluff-Melbourne service, supplies cannot be .obtained direct from Melbourne, with the result that prices are considerably higher than usual. -A consignment which arrived recently had to be shipped from Adelaide to Sydney and then transhipped to' another.' Steamer leaving for Wellington and finally transhipped at Wellington for Lyttelton. This constant handling made the'cost almost prohibitive by the time the oranges reached the Christchurch market. Between July 'l9 and August 28 there will be no vessel leaving Melbourne for the South Island, and in consequence of this disarrangement of the shipping service’ trade is seriously handicapped. The Kaiapoi, ■which' left Melbourne on July 19, has been held up at Hobart by bad weather, and it •Is not known when she will reach Lyttelton. The lack of a regular service is particularly unfortunate in view of the fact that supplies of oranges from New South Wales are smaller than usual and the demand is very keen.

The death of the Rev. W. E. E, Gillam, the’former vicur of St.'Matthew’s, Auckland, recalls an incident during the war (says the Star), when he was chaplain bn one of the hospital ships. The steamer was returning from Egypt with invalided soldiers, and amongst them was a young lad who was evidently dying. Mr Gillam sat by his cot, and after a while a Presbyterian minister 1 came and said: "Go on deck and get a breath of fresh air while I take your place.” Later a Roman Catholic priest relieved the Presbyterian’. The soldier eventually died. • All three' representatives, of different churches had in turn watched at the bedside, and they also attended the service when the body was committed to the deep—evidence of church unity in special circumstances.

The criticism of the Government -At the meeting of the.Harbo.ur Board ,on , Friday night in not utilising the warships on the coast to undertake survey ail'd charting work should have been credited in our report to Mr T. Scollay. Have your diamonds attended to by Williamsons. They are the practical gem experts, and welcome inquiries.—Next Bristol Piano Co.—Advt. , ' W. V Sturmer, U.A.0.C., D.i5.0.1., optician. Consulting room, 2 Octagon,' Dunedin. Most modern scientific equipment for sight testing.—Advt. A. E- J. Blakeley and W E. Bagley, dentists, Bank of Australasia, corner of Bond and Rattray streets riext Teleerapb Office) Telephone .12-350—Advt.’ Diamond Engagement Rings.—Before purchasing compare our values; large selection: superior quality.—Peter Dick, the most reliable jewellers, watchmakers, and opticians, 490 Moray place, Dunedin, Advt- ,