N.Z. COAL NEEDS

Hokitika Guardian, 17 May 1927, Page 2

N.Z. COAL NEEDS

[by TELEGRAPH —TER TRESS ASSOCIATION WELLINGTON, Afav 10.

The statement of Alt' J. I'. Pettigrew. a recent Australian visitor to New Zealand, that if the railways of New Zealand used local coal entirely and if the importations from Australia were restricted, the householders would he forced to go short, was reported in a cable to-day.

This statement is not endorsed by authoritative local opinion, and the Under-Secretary for Alines (Mr A. H. Kimbell) stated emphatically that the existing mines in the Dominion could be relied upon to supply the whole of the requirements of New Zealand for both domestic and Dominion purposes. This might involve greater development and the employment of a larger number of men than at present, be said; but the fact was that the Dominion could double its output of coal. The question really binged upon what quantity of coal would he used by the railways in the future. It was well known that the railways were now using larger quantities of New Zealand coal than formerly. For months past they had been using mixed coals with good results.

Air Kimbell pointed out that the great hulk of the imported Australian coal has. in the past, boon used for the manufacture of gas and for steam-rais-ing on the railways. Very little Australian coal has been supplied for domestic purposes.

“The plain fact is,” said Mr Kimbell. “that the importations of Australian coal have decreased during the past six months. Some gasworks are not using as much Australian coal as they did formerly. The increased use of New Zealand coal by the railways is the result of the tests conducted some months ago by a special Board set up by the Minister of Railways. Tin's Board reported last year that the tests bad proved that qnite a number of New Zealand coals wore suitable for consumption in New Zealand Railwav locomotive engines.”

“It is possible and likely.'’ the Board reported, “that the Raihvav Department would be able to obtain continuous and adequate supplies of New Zealand coal. Our reason for saying this is that there was evidence that the mining facilities on nearlv every coalfield were adequate for the production of much more coal than is now being won. and the number of miners engaged in the industry was greater than was warranted hv the present output.” The Board also stated that Newcaste] coal deteriorated less than New Zealand coals, and therefore was most suitable for reserve stocks. As even Newcastle coal could not he kept indefinitely. however, there must he some movements of those stocks, which would mean' a certain constant consumption of Newcastle coal.

The importations of coal to Now Zealand during 1925 totalled 572,573 tons. Last year the importations were 540,125 tons.