POLISH COAL FOR ENGLAND [To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR.]
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Sin,—Your suggestion that the contention of Bowater's Paper Mills, Ltd., regarding the coal quota having caused them inconvenience, should be impartially examined, will receive general acceptance. In the highly charged condition of the atmosphere surrounding the problem, it is vital that the Central Council of Coal Owners should be able to prove that they have not abused the arbitrary powers they possess. The Polish issue, however, is relatively insignificant con- trasted with the irreparable sacrifice which the Admiralty thrust upon our coal industry when it irrationally adopted foreign oil fuel. Had similar. vigilance been in _evidence, at the period of that unfortunate event, one of the-most disas- trous blows that ever befell the well-being-of our industries would probably have been avoided. Our war vessels doubtless are efficient in the eyes of their engineers, who do not see beyond the engines, while their imposing appearance may also give confidence to the man in the street ; but in the event of war, the country would have a rude awakening. Every gallon of oil in the country would of 'necessity- have to be commandeered ; thus innumerable power and trading plants, as well as .passenger and food steamers burning liquid fuel, would be stranded and a condition of chaos and panic created. ' 1 To found national safety on a fleet dependent upon fuel that has to run the gauntlet of the blocking of the Suez Canal, sinking of tankers, destruction of storage tanks, as well as the annihilation of coal distilling plant by aircraft, while we have matchless coal to our hand, is incomprehensible. In the face of such a perilous position, and since there are experts who contend that naval vessels equipped alternatively to burn oil Or coal possess equivalent endurance and efficiency to ships exclusively oil-fired, I contend the Admiralty are placing un- necessary anxiety on the nation in not disproving the con-
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