TOWNS ON COAST

Press, Volume C, Issue 29500, 29 April 1961, Page 13

TOWNS ON COAST

Deputation To Mr Holyoake (From Our Own Reporter) WELLINGTON. April 28. Problems arising from declining sales of Blackball and Paparoa coal were discussed today when a large deputation from the West Coast waited on the Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) and the Minister of Mines (Mr Shand).

The deputation was introduced by Mr P Blanchfield. member of Parliament for Westland, and comprised representatives of the United Mineworkers and local miners’ unions, the Mayor of Greymouth (Mr F W. Baillie), and representatives of the Grey Harbour Board. Grey Electric Power Board. Chamber of Commerce. Westland District P’ogress League. Wert Coast Comoo°ite Coal Committee. Grev County Council. Blackball Ratenayers’ Association. West Coast Trad«s Council, and Inangahua Progress League. Sneakers said alternative avenues of employment were needed in or near Blackball. wihnjh would otherwise become another ghost town. The local bodies were most concerned about the effect on their revenue of declining production and population. The Prime Minister referred to the representative nature of the deputation and said he appreciated the way m which it had presented its case. The Government was deeply concerned about the problem, and would do everything that was reasonable to minimise the effects of whatever change was necessary, he said; However, there were limits to what the Government could do. said Mr Holyoake.

Message From Qaees.—The <ctor. Gary Cooper, gravely ill with advanced cancer, was reported today to be “very pleased and much moved” by a message he received yesterday from the Queen.—Be! Air (California), April 27.