NEWCASTLE COAL FOR NEW ZEALAND

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 117, 15 February 1928, Page 6

NEWCASTLE COAL FOR NEW ZEALAND

CONTRACT LET TO AUSTRALIAN COMPANY PROTEST AT GOVERNMENT’S ACTION Dominion Special Service. Auckland, February 14. The fact that three New Zealand colliers are lying idle in Auckland harbour and that there is said to be acute unemployment among seamen arid firemen in Auckland, has given rise to a protest against the action of the Government in letting a contract to an Australian shipping company for the carrying of Newcastle coal to New Zealand. The secretary of the Seamen’s Union (Mr. T. F. Anderson) stated that he understood the Government was obtaining 150,000. tons of- coal from Australia and it was certain that the shipping contract had been let to an Australian firm. “Letting the contract to Australia means that our money is' going out of New Zealand,” said Mr. Anderson. “Then, again, Australian ships engaged in the coal trade are repaired in Australia while our own ships are repaired here.” Mr. Anderson, supported by Mr. B. Burk, secretary of the Merchant Service Guild, and Mr. D. H. Sturrock, secretary of the Marine Engineers’ Institute, sent the following telegram to the Prime Minister: “We understand your Governriient has placed a contract for the carriage of a quantity of Newcastlo coal with an Australian shipping company In view of the widespread unemployment existing among New Zealand seafarers owing to idle tonnage, we strongly urge that New Zealand ships should be used for this purpose.” The following reply was received from Mr. Coates: “Your'telegram received and representations noted. The contract referred to was let to the lowest tenderer for the shipment of a very limited quantity of coal to the North Island only. The Government’s objective for many years has been to decrease gradually the importation of coal to the Dominion, and the railways are now securing almost sufficient coal from the New Zealand mines to meet requirements. Should it be found necessary to increase importations before the termination of the present contract your repre. sentations will not be overlooked.” The Seamen’s Union holds that even the shipping of a limited quantity of coal would give employment to many who urgently need it. Each ship carries 40 men, and if the contention that a supply of 150,000 tons was to be obtained proved correct, it would mean employment for 120 men for 12 months Consequently another telegram was sent to the Prime Minister as follows: “We have no quarrel with your policy of using New Zealand coal. Similar considerations should weigh with wou regarding Dominion ships where importations are necessary even for a very limited quantity. Our information is that 150,000 tons is to be brought from Newcastle for Government use, and we urge it is the duty of your Government to have this carried by New Zealand ships.” So far no reply has been received to. this telegram.