DELIVERIES OF COAL IN CITY

Southland Times, Issue 25666, 8 May 1945, Page 4

DELIVERIES OF COAL IN CITY

THREATENED HOLD-UP AVERTED The threatened hold-up in the delivery of coal in the city caused by the decision of the drivers of coal lorries not to deliver coal unless the weight of the bags was reduced from 1901 b to 1401 b by today has been averted. The coal merchants have accepted an offer of a Government subsidy to meet the increased cost of delivery, which, they say, will arise from the use of the lighter bag and have, accordingly, agreed to reduce the weight of the bags to 1401 b. This was announced at a meeting of I members of the coal yards section of the Southland Drivers’ Union held during the lunch hour yesterday. Mr D. Harris, secretary of the union, said that the. first representations for a reduction in the weight of the bags were made by the union to the Invercargill Coal Merchants’ Association last November. From the outset the merchants were not opposed to the reduction, and their only reason for not reducing the weight of the bags was because they considered they should be reimbursed for the extra delivery costs which they said would arise from the use of lighter bags. The coal merchants generally recognized that the claim of the union for a lighter bag was just. However, there had been “dilly dallying” and “passing the buck” in Wellington until the Drivers’ Union decided to take action by refusing to deliver the heavier bags on and after May 8.

SUPPORT OF MINERS The union had been assured of the support of the Nightcaps Miners’ Union, Mr Harris added. The miners would have continued to produce coal on condition that the only coal sent to Invercargill merchants was for hospitals and essential industries. However, he was pleased to report that the merchants had accepted the Government’s offer of a subsidy and had agreed to reduce the weight of the bags to 1401 b. The subsidy was a very fair one and would more than compensate the merchants for any increased cost of delivery. If any owner-drivers or merchants refused to reduce the weight of sacks then they should not receive the subsidy; otherwise they would be getting money under false pretences. He congratulated the members of the union on the stand they had taken in the matter. It was quite time that Invercargill was brought into line with other centres in this matter. Mr A. W. Williams said he did not see any reason why the weight of coal bags should be reduced in Invercargill. It would mean extra carrying and a longer time for delivery. Mr Harris: You had an opportunity to come to previous meetings to state your views. Christchurch was one of the first places in New Zealand to have the lighter bag and it is as flat as Invercargill. They also have the lightei bag in Auckland, Wellington and Dunedin, and there is no reason why Invercargill should be out of step with the rest of New Zealand. It was decided to take steps to see that merchants who did not adopt the lighter bag should not receive the subsidy. , It was also decided that coal already stored in the'yards in 1901 b bags should be carried on the understanding that coal coming into the yard from now on would be put into 1401 b bags. A motion was passed thanking Mr Harris for his work in conducting the negotiations and in bringing about a settlement.