A DUNEDINITE INTERVIEWED.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12144, 21 September 1907, Page 5

A DUNEDINITE INTERVIEWED.

(Per Press Association.)

DUNEDIN, Sept. 20. A Dunedin gentleman —prominently identified with the Newcastle coal trade—was interviewed to-day on the subject of the coal vend. He said that two important factors were responsible for the present position of affairs. One of them was the harassing conditions imposed by the various coal miners unions, and the other was the phenf>increase in the demand for Newcastle coal in the" ' East—a -demand,: which assuredly would increase rather than decrease. He asked what the probable effect would be in this colony? The speaker said :—I estimate that our shortage during the past 12 months in Newcastle coal alone 'amounted to 20,000 tons. Included in this amount was one order from the Government for 4000 tons, which we could not look at because we could not get delivery at Newcastle. The outlook is not at all bright. Fortunately the advent of summer will reduce the demand considerably for a time, but, until the Stockton and Parapara coal mines «;et into full swing on the West Coast we will have to submit to present conditions. At any rate, as matters now stand it would seem that the Union Company have a complete monopoly of the coal-carrying trade to this colony, with the exception of small cargoes being carried by the Craign line of sailing vessels, and it is considered doubtful if the latter will be accorded that privilege much longer.