RELEASE FROM ARMY

Marlborough Express, Volume LXXVI, Issue 248, 21 October 1942, Page 3

RELEASE FROM ARMY

300 MINERS TO INCREASE COAL OUTPUT. A statement that the War Cabinet had decided to release 300 miners from the armed forces to assist in raising the Dominion's coal production was made by the Minister for Mines, Mr Webb, at Auckland. The great need for further accommodat.on for miners was stressed by Mr Webb, who said it would not be possible to release miners from ihe forces till homes were available .for them. "The need for additional miners' homes in the Waikato is very urgent," said Mr Webb. "Arrangements have been made for the construction of 40 miners' houses in the Huntly district, 20 at Mangapehi and 20 at Tatu, and a start with the programme was made a few weeks ago. The housing activity at present being undertaken in Huntly is only a start and the programme will be continued. It is expected that when the present houses are completed another 40 will be proceeded with to meet the immediate demands." In the Huntly district, said Mr Webb, the miners' homes under construction were being built by companies under an arrangement with the State, which had given priority with men and materials. Labour was being made available from other works, and it was not expected that any difficulty would be encountered in this respect. The homes to be provided would be similar to the usual rural type of houses in the Dominion, and it would be optional for the miners to buy or rent them. This was different from the conditions prevailing with regard to the State houses at the Mangapehi and Tatu mines, which. were rented. The situation with regard to accommodation for miners would be reviewed periodically and further houses would be constructed as the demand dictated. In the Waikato district any future need for miners' homes and amenities would be con - j sidered by the board of control from time to time.