N.Z. COAL OWNERS

Hokitika Guardian, 11 June 1930, Page 3

N.Z. COAL OWNERS

WILL SEEK EMBARGO

'llj lclegraph—Pros# Apt> ociatiou)

- AUCKLAND, June 10

In view of the State assistance now giy.en to the New South Wales coal industry under the terms of the recent strike 1 settlement the Ney, Zealand Coal Mine Owners’ Federation intends to ask tlie Government to keep the promise made by £ir Joseph Ward, about a year ago, that tlie New Zealand .coal industry would not be permitted to suffer by such action. Mr W. D. Holdgate, President of the Association, in making, this announcement, said that the industry had never asked for a duty on imported coal, but the question of protection against State bounties in Australia bad been taken up with the Government about twelve months ago. At that time, it was being suggested in the negotiations for the settlement of the New Smith Wales strike that Mm Federal and. New South Wales Governments should grant assistance equal to about -Is a ton in consideration of the millers’ acceptance of lower wages! A deputation from the Goal Mine Owners’ Association waited upon the then Prime Minister, Sir r -moh Ward., and the Minister of Mines, Ron. W. A. Vmtch, regarding this and another matter. The Ministers’ retention drawn to the risk <Vt. i'f such State assistance were given, the New Zealand industry mmht suffer. Sir Joseph Ward, in his reply said that, the Government would not permit the NeW Zealand mines to suffer op account of assistance given by the State or the Commonwealth Governments to the. New South Wales coal industry.

“We are now asking the Government to carry out the promise made bv Sir Joseph Ward.” said Mr Holnrte. “We may go further and ask for a duty on imported coal. We feel onite justified in ■ seeking some measure of protection, .considering the great importance of the coal industry to New Zealand. This industry em pjoved over 5000 men, whose wages or a Very conservative estimate of £ -1 a day for the five day week .amount to C 1 ,250,000 a ypflr. Eighty per cent of the coal produced in New Zealand is carried on Government railways, o: an average ,of 14s a ton, which' agai) is a very conservative estimate. Thrail freight revenue from this some is not less Ruth £1,300,000 a year. ' is questionable whether the consume!';, of coal in the Dominion realise tha the more support' they ‘ give to thi local industry the lower will be the prices of Netv Zealand coal. Every ton of coal imhotted means less work "o- New Zealand, less money spent it the country, ahd more mpnej T sent opt of the romitrV... There is very little difference in the calorific, value he tween the West Coast bituminous coa* and the Newcastle coal. Moreover for steaming purposes, Westport coal has had the highest reputation for many years. During the long strilc 1 New Zealand has got on very well without Australia coal. There ha?' boon no dislocation either of the rail wav services or of gas making. I ar ouite certain/ that the New Son*' Wales Government would never per mit New Zealand coal to be dumped 't Sydney under any system of ex port or other bounties.”

The Government assistance referred to by Mr Holgate, consists of reduce rail freights, And posisibly also lower crane charges at the Newcastle '•mrves.

further Representations

It is reported that the Government is to be waited upon by representatives of both the United Mine Workers’ of New Zealand and the New Zealand Coal Owners’ Associations at an early date in order to ask that an embargo isliall be placed upon the importation of Newcastle coal into the Dominion.

It is stated that the Newcastle mine owners have secured Argentine orders that will absorb a large proportion of the exports for the remainder of this year.