Fuel Industry in Great Britain

Abstract

COLONEL W. A. BRISTOW, on his installation as president of the Fuel Luncheon Club, spoke on modern fuel problems. After indicating the cost in foreign exchange of refined oil products and other material such as carbide, silicides, etc., which can be made in Great Britain, he mentioned other products capable of synthesis more or less directly, from coal. From the products of the carbonization and gasification of coal he indicated that a great range of chemical products can be made, and, in view of Great Britain's adverse balance of trade, must be made. The obstacle, he said, is not lack of skill, knowledge or courage, but an absonce of planning at the centre. Another deterrent is the financial system by which the ‘financial whipcrackers’ controlling public companies insist on immediate dividends and frown on efforts made in the national interest. He thinks the State should establish a ‘Commercial Research Force’ not merely for pure research but also to operate plants of capacity and bring processes to fruition. If these ideas are vitally important, it is only logical that the citizen should make his due contribution. There is another reason why an early start should be made in this direction. An effort should be made to prepare for creative work for the young men who return from the war. After the last war, the coal industry passed through tragic years. Moreover, none was more severely hit than the technicians left redundant by the cessation of munition manufacture. This time we should not leave the fate of returning armies to luck, but safeguard the future of the coal, oil and allied industries.