THE COAL INDUSTRY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 125, 26 April 1940, Page 6

THE COAL INDUSTRY.

While the public are interested to learn from the Minister of Mines that investigations are proceeding to “ascertain the speediest way in which extra coal can be produced to meet immediate requirements,” their apprehension regarding the present position of the industry is by no means allayed. With winter fast approaching there is an acute shortage of supplies, and the Minister has mentioned that one of its first repercussions would be a restricted railway service. While this does not appear imminent, and would be greatly deplored were it to happen, the alternative lacking sufficient supplies is obvious. The war, rationing of petrol, the strike in Australia, as well as an increased demand from shipping, have depleted the country’s reserves and created an urgent need for more production. Moreover, the output in 1938, the latest year for which figures are available in the Near Book, fell short of the 1937 returns by 55,000 tons, after a steady upward movement since 1933. But present day production is still much less than in 1929 when it reached to 2,535,000 tons against 2,222,000 tons in 1938. A factor that has caused a fall in production is the number of industrial disputes in the industry. For the twelve months to December 31 last, according to the Abstract of Statistics, there were 29 among the coalminers, involving 8027 workers and causing a loss of 21,739 working days and £25,596 in wages. Were the public given the estimated loss of coal in tons they would have a clear appreciation of these statistics. Immediately after Easter Mr .Webb announced that a Royal Commission, representing himself, the owners, and the miners, would be set up almost at once to investigate and report on the necessary steps to overcome the shortage and build up reserves. A month has elapsed and the Commission has still not been appointed. The need for increased production is so urgent that the position must be faced.