NEWCASTLE COAL

Hokitika Guardian, 24 June 1930, Page 2

NEWCASTLE COAL

GAS COY’S NEEDS

(By Telegraph—Press Association)

WELLINGTON, June 23

It is understood that representations have been made to the Government on behalf of gas /Companies regarding the probable effect of a duty on imported coal, the action being the outcome of a movement in the direction of an imposing dumping duty.

The case for the companies, as submitted to the Government may be summarised: First, that there is no subsidy, bonus or similar Government monetary assistance given or allowed to exporters of Australian coal to New Zealand, New Zealand being, it is stated, regarded as Australia in respect to payment of the export (bounty. Second, that it is absolutely necessary under modern conditions of gasmaking to use a proportion of coal of the character produced in the northern mines of New South Wales, and not produced in the mines of New Zealand. Records kept by the Wellington Gas Company, it is stated, show that since its supplies from Newcastle were cut off, the output ol gas per ton of coal fell from approximately 22,(XX) cubic feet to 17,000 cubic feet per ton. Additional expense, amouiiing to over £7OO a month, was incurred bv the company through carbonising other than Newcastle coals. The Government’s iattemdiou is directed furthermore to the competition of fuel oils which are admitted duty free from foreign countries. If ;i duty is placed on Australian coal it is stated there is no alternative but to raise the price of gas.