STATE COAL MINES

Hokitika Guardian, 28 January 1930, Page 6

STATE COAL MINES

BETTER ORGANISATION TO .BE STUDIED. CHRISTCHURCH, Jan. 27. Believing that New Zealand coal mines will have to face much keener competition than ever before when the coal mines trouble in New South Wales is settled, the Minister of Mines (the Hon \V. A. Veiteli) intends to make all possible improvements id the organisation of the State mines. With this end in view he will leave for the West Coast this morning to study the organisation of the mines. The Minister will make a thorough inspection of the plant in the State mines'. He stated yesterday that he had not yet hail an opportunity of doing so. He realised that plant and organistion went a long way towards economy in working. It was clear that when the present trouble in Australia was over, and that might happen a great deal earlier than appeared to be likely at present, coal production in New Zealand would be faced with much more serious competition than ever before. “It is my business to be ready for that competition by bringing the organisation up to the highest possible state of efficiency,’ declared Mr Veiteli. “This does not imply an attack on wages and conditions, but on organisation, which will be better if possible.”