COAL RATIONING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24911, 9 May 1942, Page 5

COAL RATIONING

THE BRITISH SCHEME

TWO REASONS ADVANCED (Rec. 8 p.m.) RUGBY, May 7. In the House of Commons the President of the Board of Trade, Dr Hugh Dalton, discussing coal rationing, said jhere were two prime reasons lor introducing the scheme—first, because it was necessary to secure a substantial reduction in domestic consumption; and secondly, in order to secure equitable and orderly distribution of the available supplies. Dr Dalton envisaged a more difficult situation in some respects next winter than during the last, when there was a temporary shortage. The demand for coal for war production was increasing and the Government would have to be prepared to increase exports as it- was possible that the coal supply from Ihdia might be interrupted and Britain would have tp make good the sources of supply which received Indian coal. She might also have to send more coal to Russia. Against these increasing demands the output had been steadily falling. Steps had therefore to be taken to increase production, and this raised two issues—-man-power and organisation of the coal industry. Miners were being withdrawn from certain sections of the armed forces, and a further 4000 from industry and civil defence. With regard to the second issue, Dr Dalton said Ministers were applying themselves to the problem of improving the efficiency of the organisation of the coal industry. The industry had become repugnant to the young men growing up in mining areas, and conditions would have to be improved and guaranteed if they were going to get young labour into the pits. {