Criticism Of Coal Export Scheme

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31120, 25 July 1966, Page 12

Criticism Of Coal Export Scheme

(From Our Own Reporter) GREYMOUTH, July 24. The bituminous coals of the West Coast were far too valuable a product to be exported overseas at a low price, said Mr P. Blanchfield, M.P. for Westland, commenting on the Japanese offer to purchase West Coast coal. The interests of the men employed in the mining industry had to be guarded and continuity of work assured for them, said Mr Blanchfield. “By the extraction and sale of huge quantities of coal over a comparatively short period, the sources of coal on the West Coast could be so drastically depleted as to seriously endanger the continuity of employment in the industry,” he said.

The Japanese scheme for the purchase of five million tons of coal, with jetties built out at sea, sounded attractive, but would not be as good as it might seem, said Mr Blanchfield. “Another feature is that the Japanese want only the best coal and are not at all disposed to take poorer classes, which New Zealand has in abundance.

“There is every indication that heavy industries may be opened up in New Zealand such as the development of ilmenite, aluminium, zinc, and copper, and allied industries. These could necessitate the availability of good coking coal resources and, if large quantities of our good coal are sold at present, it could mean that when we need it for our own industry we shall have nothing left but large holes in the ground,” said Mr Blanchfield.