COAL CONTROL

Otago Witness, Issue 3513, 12 July 1921, Page 5

COAL CONTROL

RESTRICTIONS MODIFIED. In an interview with the Dominion on the -rt-ii inst. the Coal Controller exp.aiuod the reasons for lilting the restrictions on the supply of household coal, and replied to the suggestion that as the industries and services were now well supplied coal control should cease. Tho Coal Controller, in the course of a long statement, said: “At the present time, the gasworks throughout the dominion, while in a better position than for some time past, arcs not holding sufficient reserve stocks to enabi© them to carry on should an emergency arise affecting the continuity of coal supplies. Indeed, only recently the Railway Department, in order to assist gas companies to maintain operations, released some Newcastle small coal from shipments corning to hand on its account. The closing down of freezing works and dairy factories for the season has lessened the demand tor steam coal, but when the operations ot these industries are resumed provision will have to be made for the supply of approximately 50,000 tons per month, to meet their requirements.” The coai Controller went on to state that it should not have been overlooked that several causes had contributed to the present favourable position in respect to supplies. One of the principal factors was the decreased demands for bunker coal due to the prevailing slump in shipping, and another reason was the present monetary stringency, which was having the effect of restricting purchases of coal by the main services and industries to bare actual requirements. The mildness of the winter season had also been responsible for a reduction in domestic orders. "it has been frequently stated,” he added, “that the main services and key industries of the dominion are dependent upon bituminous (hard) coal for the carrying on of their activities. The production of this class of coal has shown a very great falling off during recent years. Comparing last year’s output of bituminous coal with that of 1914, when conditions were normal, we find that there has been a falling off of over 570,000 tons. The latest completed figures available, those for 1920, disclose a decrease of 37,000 tons, as compared with 1919, and a review of the five months of tho current year ended May 31 does not reveal any material improvement in the output of bituminous coal. Until such time as the production of coal on the West Coast approximates more closely to the needs of our principal services and essential industries, the position cannot be regarded as free from anxiety, and the continuance of the Coal Trade Regulations is, therefore, still necessary in the best interests of the public. However, the question of suspending the operation of the regulations, which have been in force since 1917, has not been lost sight of, and if favourable conditions continue and a substantial improvement takes place in tho output of the chief West Coast mines, it may be possible to lift the rest riel ions towards the end of the present year.” In concluding, the Controller remarked that there was no certainty that the favourable conditions existing at present would continue, and while distributors of coal could in the meantime under a general permit meet the requirements of householders without regard to quantity, it might become necessary to reimpose restrictions.