COAL SHORTAGE

Southland Times, Issue 18938, 11 May 1923, Page 2

COAL SHORTAGE

ACUTE POSITION IN CHRISTCHURCH (Special to the Times.) CHRISTCHURCH, May 9. A state of things bordering on the acute exists at present in connection with the stocks of household coal available in Christchurch. Although there is no absolute famine, it is reported that the stocks in the hands of retail coal merchants are much lower than is usually the case at this time of the year. What may be described as the sudden descent of winter weather, with* its attendant big demands for replenishment of household bins, has something to do with the position that has arisen, but does not fully explain it. In past years merchants have prepared for the coming of winter and the increased demand for coal by getting stocks together in the early months of the year. The strike of coal miners at Newcastle, which started towards the end of last year and has continued since, has practically cut off all supplies from Australia, and the output from the Dominion’s mines has been just sufficient to keep pace with ordinary demands. Consequently coal merchants have not been able this year to make provision for heavy demands at the beginning of winter by getting stocks together in the earlier months of the year. At present there are no apparent signs of relief coming from Australia. In the case of one company, the management have declined to take any more orders at present till those already in hand have been fulfilled. Another merchant remarked that probably he would have to adopt a similar decision shortly. “It is not,” he remarked, “a case of getting what you ask for, but of taking what you can get.”