COAL AND POWER

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVII, Issue 23215, 31 May 1945, Page 7

COAL AND POWER

Critical Position Arises (l i,?-P-A-) WELLINGTON, May 30. ine coal position as regards the New Zealand Railways in both the North and South Islands is reported to be critical. Shipping prospects are uncertain at the moment, but if conaitions do not improve soon it may be P T ec ?? s^. r y t° reintroduce cuts in the rr • railway passenger services. Ine Union Steam Ship Company advises that two coal vessels left Westport at mid-day to-day. one for Wel- °£ ? nd one for New Plymouth. 1 lie State coal depot and other coal dealers state that there is little immediate anxiety regarding household coal supplies m Wellington. ..the factories and workshops in the Hutt Valley Power Board area nave been notified that they must cease using electric power at 5 p.ra. to-morrow and Friday, in addition to enecting a 10 per cent, economy throughout working hours. Pal merston North message states that, a decision to send a telegram to the Minister of Supply urging that before reductions are made in electricity supplies the broadcasting hours be drastically reduced was made unanimously at the interprovincial conference of the Farmers’ Union representing areas between Wanganui and Wellington. The speakers gave instances of hardships imposed on daily farmers because of the reduced milking hours.