N.Z. COAL TRADE

Hokitika Guardian, 30 January 1931, Page 6

N.Z. COAL TRADE

LAST YEAR’S FIGURES

DUNEDIN, Jan. 29

The Minister of Mines luis issued the following statement ol coal production, exportation and importation for the 12 months ended December 3lst last:—

For the three months ended December 31st, 1930, the production, as compared with the three months ended December 31st, 1929, showed an iuvcrease of 15,340 tons. 'The output from the blown coal mines increased by 58,351 tons, while the output from the bituminous and lignite mines decreased by 36,284 tons, and 3,689 tons respectively.

For 12 months ended December 31st, 1930, there is an increase of 38,230 tons when compared with the 12 months ended December 31st, 1929. JBitumninous mines increased hv 7,167 tons. Brown coal mines increased by 44,470 tons, while lignite mines decreased by 13,407 tons. For the quarter ended December 31st, 1930, the importations showed a decrease of 32,847 tons a.s compared with the quarter ended December 31st. 1929. For the 12 months ended December 31st, 1930 a decrease of 57,713 tons is shown when compared with the corresponding period of 1929.

A decrease of 22,857 tons is shown for the quarter ended December 31st. 1930, when compared with the quarterended December 31st, 1929.

The comparative figures for the 12 monthly periods of 1930 arid 1929 show that there was a decrease of 79,385 tons for 1930 period. A go-slow policy existed at Ohai mine in Southland, ceased after November 18th, and normal work was resumed.

The Matchless mine at Reef ton was idle for 29 days from August 9th, due to miners refusing to work on account

of the company supplying coal to a co-operative party, tire members of which w r ej;e non-unionists.

At Ngakaivau, the Stockton Colliery was idle 24 days on account- of a disagreement with the management regarding the sharing of work amongst the union members.

There were six other minor disputes, but the idleness at any o n e mine did not cexeed four days.