GOLD AND COAL

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 118, 17 April 1940, Page 8

GOLD AND COAL

INCREASED OUTPUT. MINISTER’S REVIEAY. Per Press Association. INVERCARGILL, April 16. A comprehensive review of the mining industry and production figures for the calendar year 1939 was given by the Minister of Mines (Hon. P. C. Webb) in a statement issued to-day. Mr Webb said that, although the whole of the statistics have not been finally checked, the provisional figures show' clearly that the year may be regarded as a satisfactory one from the viewpoint of production. Gold exported for the year totalled 170,6670 z, valued at £1,623.000, an increase of 24.5150 z and £335,000 value compared with the previous year. ft was worthy of special mention that from the West Coast (South Island) the export figures showed increases of 34,6100 z and £368,000 in value compared with 1938. Over 57 per cent, of the total gold exported from the Dominion in 1939 was produced on the West Coast, the quantity being 100,7240 z. Dealing with the output of coal, the Minister said that the total for the year was 2,342,639 tons, an increase of approximately 120,000 tons compared with tlie previous years. This was the highest output since 1930. and the increase was spread over all classes of coal.

The number of men employed was 47(52, an increase of 199, the ouput per man employed underground in the year being 661 tons, an increase of two tons per man compared with 1938. Mr Webb declared that the output was satisfactory in view of the need for greater production. It was essential, however, that production be increased considerably to adequately fulfil tiic varied needs of the Dominion. Unless the industry could be organised in such a way as to do this it was obvious that the Government's policy of limiting importations and refusing to permit the opening of new mines on Crown lands would have to be reviewed. Mr Webb declared that he had been watching the position closely for some time, and was convinced that existing mines could fulfil the requirements, provided a greater measure of efficiency was employed in the industry and a greater measure of co-operation obtained. The Minister said the State mines had a very satisfactory year, the output being 217,765 tons—the highest for many years. He was satisfied with the efficiency of the mine management and in the administration of State mines there was a very high standard, comparing more than favourably with many privately-owned collieries. Mr Webb also referred to the value of co-operative mining and to the assistance given by the department in various ways for prospecting and development work, as well as the improvement of amenities in the mining townships.