RECALL TO MINES

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 20913, 13 October 1942, Page 2

RECALL TO MINES

300 MEN IN FORCES HOUSES BEING BUILT NORTH ISLAND COLLIERIES (P.A.j AUCKLAND, this day. 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, the Hon. P.'C. Webb, last night. 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 until 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 with 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 immediate demands.”

In the Huntly district, said Mr. Webb, the miners’ homes under construction" were' being built by' the companies under an arrangement with the State, which had given priority with the men and materials. Labour was being made available from other works, and it was not expected 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 State houses at 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, said Mr. Webb. In the Waikato district, any future need for miners’ homes and amenities would be considered by the board of control from time to time.