DANGER OF SHORTAGE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 84, Issue 94, 23 April 1940, Page 6

DANGER OF SHORTAGE

COAL IN NEW ZEALAND RAILWAYS WOULD BE FIRST AFFECTED [ Per Press Association. ] CHRISTCHURCH, April 22. One of the first repercussions ol a shortage of coal supplies in New Zeaiand would be restricted railway service, said the Minister of Mmes, Hon. P. C. Webb, to-day, when commenting on the conditions existing in the coal industry. Mr. Webb said the Government would deplore the necessity to curtail the railway services, but il supplies were not available it would have no alternative. Mr. Webb added that investigations were being made to ascertain the speediest way in which extra coal could be produced to meet inmediate requirements. When the report on these investigations aad been received the Government would not hesitate to take whatever action was deemed wise to put the recommendations into effect. On his return to Wellington he intended to confer with representatives of the mine owners and mine workers uo review the general conditions prevailing in the industry. At the conclusion of this conference recommendations would be submitted to the Government for the enforcement of better co-ordination in the industry. Mr. Webb added that the situation as regards supplies in the North Lsiano was worse than in the South, and unless shipping conditions were luvouiaole from the South Liana West Coast ports there was a possibility ol I a shortage of bituminous supplies, which would .be serious for the railways. i In reply to a question Mr. Webb said the Government had followed the I previous Government’s policy of not granting leases of new areas. This , was done to prevent uneconomic deIvelopment, but in the light of presentday facts the policy must be reviewed, I and the Government was determined (hat sufficient mines would be opened 'to maintain supplies.