THE COAL EMBARGO

Otago Witness, Issue 3467, 24 August 1920, Page 22

THE COAL EMBARGO

QUESTION OF EMBARGO. (Feou Ode Own Coebespondent.V WELLINGTON, August 20. Tho decision of the Commonwealth Government to prohibit the export of Newcastle coal was mentioned in the House of Representatives this afternoon, when Mr J. P. Luke (Wellington North) asked the Prime Minister to make a statement in the light of the cabled information. Mr Massey replied that he had received a number of telegrams on the subject from various parts of the dominion, and, indeed, some from officers of Government departments, stating that if the embargo included New Zealand it would bo a very serious matter for the dominion. A few days ago he had received a cablegram from Mr W. M. Hughes stating that the Commonwealth Government had no intention of placing any embargo on the export of coal to New Zealand. That was some 10 days ago, however, and the position might have altered since then. He had already taken actipn, however. He had cabled to Mr Hughes pointing out how serious the position would be in relation especially to the dominion railway traffic. He had asked the Federal Prime Minister to see that New Zealand supplies were not interfered with.

NEW ZEALAND AFFECTED. •WANGANUI, August 21. With reference to the statement by the Prime Minister doubting whether the embargo on Newcastle coal applied to New Zealand, tho Wanganui Borough Council, who have a contract with a Newcastle firm for a supply of coal, have been advised thai the authorities refuse to allow a steamer to load coal for Wanganui. The local gasworks has only enough coal to last until Tuesday.

SITUATION IN AUCKLAND. (Feom Our Own Coerespondent.) AUCKLAND, August 21

Advice of the embargo by the Australian Government on the export of coal from Newcastle was received yesterday by tho Mayor (Mr J. H. G-unson). A vessel is now at Newcastle awaiting a cargo of coal for the Auckland municipal power stations, but the council's shippers cabled stating that owing to the embargo no • coal could be obtained. The Mayor stated that he had communicated with the Prime Minister on the subject. Mr Gunson said that this prohibition by the Australian Government of the export of coal from Newcastle had created a serious position in Auckland and also in other parts of the dominion. fie had cabled to the Prime Minister of the commonwealth asking him to allow vessels now at Newcastle to lift cargo for Auckland. If this permission were nob granted an acute shortage of electrical current in the city was imminent, unless local coal supplies were greatly increased;