STOCKS OF COAL

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21167, 17 July 1940, Page 7

STOCKS OF COAL

AT STRATEGIC POINTS TOTAL OF 20,000,000 TONS (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received July 17, 11 a.m.) LONDON, July 16 The Minister of Supply stated at the mine-workers’ conference today that the Government had a programme for accumulating large stocks of coal, aiming at the establishment of a store of 20,000,000 tons in strategic depots, throughout the country. Cargoes from the vast supplies of British coal which have accumulated as a result of the submission of France are being shipped to South America and Portugal. Further inquiries are being negotiated and within the next few weeks the ex - port of coal from Britain is expected to increase rapidly. Canada, as well as South America, will have more plentiful supplies at cheaper prices. The British coal industry, which is aiming at an annual production of 280,000,000 tons, 40,000,000 tons more than in peace-time, had a respect - able surplus as a result of Germany’s invasion of Scandinavia. It was at first hoped that some of this would be available for Britain’s customers overseas, but when the Germans marched into Holland, Belgium and northern France all available supplies were rushed to France, whose coalfields had been seized by the enemy. The subsequent submission of France, together with Italy’s entry into the war, virtually put an end to all shipments of coal to Europe outside of Spain and Portugal. There is now a respectable volume of suitable coal for export piling up at British ports for shipment.