GAS SHORTAGE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26229, 13 August 1946, Page 6

GAS SHORTAGE

MANUFACTURERS’ PLIGHT LOSS OF PRODUCTION (P.A.) AUCKLAND, Aug. 12. With a constant reserve of 15,000 tons of coal suitable for blending, upon which the company could draw in case of emergency ,the Auckland Gas Company could avoid the present gas shortage. Evidence to this effect was given at a conference to-day of consumers and Government representatives under the chairmanship of the Mayor, Mr J. A. C. Allum. The possibility of exploiting coal resources outside New Zealand, particularly in Canada, was discussed with a view to overcoming the national shortage which was attributed in several instances to lack of miners, too short working hours and the recent shipping strikes. Four Auckland members of Parliament undertook to place the suggestions of the conference before the Minister of Mines, Mr O’Brien, and if possible before the Prime Minister, Mr Fraser. Loss in working hours and production involving many thousands of pounds was attributed to the shortage of gas by representatives of the city’s leading manufacturing firms. A factory making foodstuffs reported that its financial loss was £IOOO a day, while in three weeks its production had dropped by 120 tons. During that time employees had worked only two arid a-half days. He recognised the difficulties of manufacturers, said the general manager of the Auckland Gas Company, Mr R. Worley. The gasworks had experienced a shortage of 3000 tons m coal deliveries this year.