LOW RESERVES

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVI, Issue 21379, 23 June 1939, Page 10

LOW RESERVES

Wellington’s Coal Supply Importation Suggested By Telegraph—Press Association WELLINGTON, June 22. The low reserve supplies of coal held by dealers in the Wellington district was pointed out to the Minister of Mines, the Hon. P. C. Webb, by a deputation which waited upon him to-day. The granting of authority to Import more Australian coal was advocated by the deputation, which expressed the opinion that the demand for coal could not be met unless steps were taken to increase supplies. Mr Webb said he had asked the organisations representing the companies and miners to consider without delay what they can do to meet the situation. The Government was determined that Industries would be supplied with coal and the home fires kept burning. Mr Webb said that he had received a deputation representing 70 odd coal dealers in the Wellington district. These dealers had pointed out that their coal supplies were just about half what they were at this time last year, and that so far no real winter weather had been experienced. Some of them had only two days’ supply in hand. Members of the deputation strongly recommended the letting in of more Australian coal to enable them to have a little in reserve to meet any emergency that might arise. All were fully convinced that unless the supply of coal was increased the demand for it could not be met. “In my reply to the deputation,” said Mr Webb, “I pointed out that one of the principle causes of the shortage of household coal was the bad bar conditions in Greymouth. At present one ship is in Greymouth loaded with coal and cannot get out, and another ship is outside and cannot get in. A good fresh in the Grey River would be very welcome at the moment to clear the channel.” Waikato Mines Mr Webb said that so far as the North Island was concerned dealers complained that little coal was coming through from the Waikato and that all dealers were experiencing the same difficulty in obtaining coal from that quarter. “I explained to the deputation,” said the Minister, “that I convened a conference of the Coal Owners’ Federation and the United Mine Workers early in the year and asked for their co-operation in supplying the coal that would be needed in view of the curtailment of overseas supplies. The conference assured me that sufficient coal would be forthcoming to meet New Zealand requirements. In addition to shipping difficulties from the south, an epidemic of influenza has gone through the mines and a large number of .miners have been obliged to lay up for a considerable time. The northern companies have claimed that they can put on more miners, but the representatives of the Miners’ Union assure me that there is no accommodation. To my own knowledge I have sent miners •to the Waikato who, on arrival there, found it impossible to obtain accommodation and had to leave. In view of the seriousness of the position I am asking the Mine Owners’ Federation and the United Mine Workers to meet and consider the situation as it exists to-day and report to me at the earliest possible moment as to what they can do to meet it.”