INCREASE IN OUTPUT

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 05, Issue 77, 13 July 1942, Page 5

INCREASE IN OUTPUT

COAL MINING RECORD

ACCOMMODATION DIFFICULTY

The statement that coal production last year was a Dominion re* cord and that the output per man last year had increased by 30 tons, was made in the House ot Representatives by the Ml.nister of Mines, the Hon. P. G. AVebb, during discussion on the Mines Department vote. The Minister said more miners were ncccssary in order to get the greater production required to meet the demands of war. One of the most urgent problems was that of decent accommodation at the mines. Many of the companies had co-op-erated splendidly in the Government's appeal in that direction, but one or two others were not co-operat-ing. He might, therefore, have to bring about compulsion in certain cases. Arrangements had been made with the military authorities to release 300 young miners. There was very little industrial trouble at the mines. Referring to a suggestion by Mr Kidd that the coal subsidy should not properly be a charge on the War Expenses Account, the Minister said that it had a definite war value. I't had been found necessary for war purposes, to ask various companies to adjust their plants for increased production and this meant considerable expense.