RELEASE FROM ARMY

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 15, 13 October 1942, Page 3

RELEASE FROM ARMY

300 Miners To Increase Coal Output .

ACCOMMODATION NEED (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) AUCKLAND, October 12. ,

A statement that the War Cabinet had decided to release 300 miners from the armed forces to assist in raising the Dominion’s coal production was made by the Minister of Mines, Mr. Webb, tonight. The great need for further accommodation for miners was stressed by Mr. Webb, who said it would not be possible to release miners from the forces till homes were available for them.

“The need for additional miners’ homes in the Waikato is very urgent,’ said Mr. Webb. “Arrangements have been made for the construction of 40 miners’ houses in the Huntly district, 20 at Mangapehi and 20 at Tatu, and a start witli the programme was made a few weeks ago. The housing activity at present being undertaken in Huntly is only a start and the programme will be continued. It is expected that when the present houses are completed another 40 will be proceeded with to meet the immediate demands.” In the Huntly district, 'said Mr. Webb, the miners’ homes under construction were being built by companies under an arrangement with the State, which had given priority with men and materials. Labour was being made available from other works, and it was not expected that any difficulty would be encountered in this respect. The homes to 'be provided would be similar to the usual rural type of houses in the Dominion, and it would be optional for the miners to buy or rent them. This was different from the conditions prevailing with regard to .the State houses at the Mangapehi and Tatu mines, which were rented. The situation with regard to accommodation for miners would be reviewed periodically and further houses would be constructed as the demand dictated. In the Waikato district any future need for miners’ homes and amenities would be considered by the board of control from time to time.