By Isle of Wight Observer
From the Isle of Wight Observer published on 15th November, 1919, comes a familiar complaint about the rising cost of keeping warm. More than a century ago, Islanders were facing higher coal prices because of the cost of transporting supplies across the Solent. With cheaper coal running out, residents were warned they could soon have little choice but to pay more for fuel, despite efforts by local authorities to secure fairer prices.
OUR VIEW POINT.
Ryde and the Island generally has been much perturbed in regard to its coal supply and the increased freights for seaborne coal. The local authorities have with one accord declaimed against the manner in which they have been treated and although there has been a slight concession made there is not the least doubt that more pressure will have to be brought to bear before we get the inequalities removed.
The Fuel Overseer informs us that seaborne coal is now arriving at Cowes and will be on sale in Ryde at the end of next week. It should be good coal and there will be plenty of it.
Hitherto we have been having rail-borne coal which is brought to Southampton and customers will naturally prefer it on account of the price even if it is low grade but when it is sold out there will be no option but to take the seaborne at the higher price, though there may be a general reduction of 2s. a ton.
It is the high freightage that keeps the cost so inordinately high for the Island. Coal merchants are required to keep two separate stacks of the coal and customers who go to the store to fetch it, as many of the poorer people do, would be well advised to note this.