STATE COAL MINES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2215, 19 October 1907, Page 3

STATE COAL MINES.

A BIIEEZE IN THE HOUSE

Press Association. "WELLINGTON, Oct. 18. Tho A to L Petitions Committee reporting in tho House on the petition of Wanganui coal dealers against tho Stato coal depot, stated that Mr. H. Carruthers, agent for the State coal depot, Christchurch, had refused to answer a question, remarking that ho did so at tho direction of tlie General Manager, Air. Gasquoine. The Committee therefore asked tho House for guidance. Tho Premier asked how tho particular petition got to the wrong committee. It should have gone to tho Alines Committee, instead of which it had gono to a committee of which tho Alinister of Alines was not a member. An attempt bad been made to got information from a subordinato officer instead oi from the Minister in charge. (Air. Symes: Private firms gave the- information,) -Lho Premier, continuing, said the committee did not in the case of private firms go to a junior clerk for information, and ill tho caso of the State tho Committee should not have gone to a subordinate official but to the Alinister in charge, who was alone responsible for the administration ot tho Department. An attempt was being made to get, for private firms, ■information concerning the State coal Department. (Air. Hornsby: It is an attempt to burst up tlie State coal mines.) The Premier pointed out that if it was ruled that subordinate officers could give these records in evidence before tho Committee then it would bo open to officers of the Taxing Dei>artment to give the income of private individuals to committees, and that would bo a most unfair thing. The petitioners were desirous of destroying Stato coal mines. He moved ’’That in the opinion of this House the Committee, m endeavoring to obtain information from a public servant on matters and records under the control of a responsible Alinister, has not- followed the ordinary practice, and that it be requested to do so.” , Air. Alassey stated that the Classification Committee, appointed for the purpose, had tho duty of referring petitions to the proper committees. This was not a petition concerning State Coal Alines, but concerning the commercial side, and as this witness was possessed of all tho information required it was right for the Committee to call on him to give this information. Replying to the Premier, he said if the subordinate had consulted the head of the Department and had been warned lie must not give evidence and had refused to do so, then they could deal with the matter /under Standing Order No. 206. This was not on a par with the Taxation Department, as tlie latter Department dealt with private matters of private individuals. He urged that the State Coal Department was not ia privato concern, and added that as it came in competiton with private coni jit- was as well to have all information possible. It seemed to him a reflection on the management of tho State Coal Alines Department when all this mystery existed. Air. AlcGowan said that if he was called before tlie Committee they could cross-examine him as much as thoy liked and he would reply. He contended this was an attempt to crush the State coal depots by private dealers. Replying to Air. Alassey, he said dealers were not subjected to unfair competition, and he was prepared to refute any such charge. He added that he could bring' charges against private coal dealers of having obtained coal from the Stato Coal Department, and in cases where bad coal had been complained of tliey liad placed the responsibility on State coal. Air. Gray stated that one question to the witness was in regard to the direct charge from tho dealers of Christchurch that the State was losing from 3s lOd to 3s lid on every ton of coal sold in Christchurch. When the witness was asked to give tho price of coal landed in Christchurch he declined to do so, stating that he was acting under instructions from Mr. Gasquoine. Mr. Hornsby said the same cry of unfair competition had been brought against the State Fire Insurance Department. The Stato Coal Department had tho direct effect of lessening tho price of coal to tho consumer, and that was the origin of the trouble being made. But the lessening of the price of coal was the object of the State Coal Department being started. ■ Air. Fisher said a distinct charge had been made that loss was being made on State coal sold at Christchurch, and tho information should he given, as the country desired to know whether this Department was being worked on a strictly sound commercial basis.

Air. Alillar said the petition _ was from coal dealers in competition witli tho State Department, who alleged that the State incurred a loss on tlie Department. This was not so, as tho report showed the Stato made a profit of £8460, and this was audited by the Auditor-General. After tho dinner adjournment the House divided on tho Premier’s motion. It was carried by 34 to 23.