SUPPLY OF COAL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 177, 28 June 1937, Page 8

SUPPLY OF COAL.

FEAR OF A SHORTAGE. MINISTER’S APPEAL. Per Press Association. GREYMOUTH, June 25. Urging that the demand for coal required the elimination of any stoppages in supply, the Minister of Mines (Hon. P. C. AA’ebb) to-day discussed with officials of the State" Miners’ Union the continuity of production. He subsequently made the following statement : “There is ample evidence that the increased purchasing power of the community has resulted in a substantial increase in the consumption of coal. Householders who during the depression were forced to reduce their purchases to a bag at a time are again ordering their requirements in half-ton and one-ton lots. The improved conditions in industry are also responsible for a greatly increased use of coal for industrial power and heat. Particularly important is the additional tonnage needed by the Railway Department. “In short, the position of the coalmining industry has completely changed during the past eighteen months, so much so that 1 am convinced we are already faced with the possibility of a serious shortage. The Railway Department has enreached considerably on its reserves of coal to maintain its services. A number of the coal companies and the State Coal Mines Department are well behind in filling railway orders, and retailers of household coal in some districts are complaining of a shortage of supplies. “The position is such that I have been approached to agree to increased importations of coal. I icel that such a step would be most regrettable, particularly in view of the depressed conditions in the industry for a number of years. It is obvious, however, that the wheels of industry must be kept turning, and no home fireside must go short. If the coal cannot be produced in New Zealand then it must be imported. “I appeal to coal-mine owners and miners to take such steps as will avoid the necessity of any action of this nature. If sufficient coal cannot be produced by the present staff, _ then the staff must be increased until no ablebodied minor remains out of full-time employment. Unless the industry responds to my appeal (and the employees as well as the employers have a duty in this direction), I will have no alternative but to concur in the increased importation of coal, an eventuality I have for years done my utmost to prevent. “In harmony with my appeal I have already requested the superintendent of the State Mines to employ additional miners, and action in this direction will be immediately taken. It is proposed that should the usual summer reduction in the coal trade warrant a reduction in staff the provisions of the agreement already in existence will apply, namely, the last to be put on will be the first to be put off.”