SUPPLIES OF COAL

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 142, 16 May 1940, Page 10

SUPPLIES OF COAL

SHORTAGE PROBLEMS. CONFERENCE OF PARTIES. (By Telegraph.—Special to Standard.) WELLINGTON, May 15. The conference of miners’ representatives and colliery owners called by the Minister of Mines (Hon. 1\ C. Webb) to evolve methods of increasing the .Dominion's coat output, wlnen opened at Parliament Buildings to-day, simultaneously with the announcement of curtailments in Wellington railway suburban services, particularly on Sundays, indicates the seriousness of the coal shortage. To-day’s position contrasts strongly with the outlook of the coal industry when the Minister took office early in 1936. “Immediately on assuming office,” said Mr Webb to-day, “representations were made by the Coalowners’ Federation, also the Mine Workers’ Federation, jointly urging me not to grant further coal leases on Crown lands; also to reduce as far 36 possible the importation of coals from overseas. I agreed to this policy, believing it to be in the best interests of the Dominion. It is uneconomic to have more mines opened up than the demand for coal warranted, but I had to obtain assurance that the country’s fires would j be kept burning and the wheels of industry turning. We endeavoured, through close co-operation with the mining industry, to secure more bali anced production, the companies secur- | ing orders steadily the whole year 1 round. The result was that the miners \ had less less through broken time than iat any period in their history. Howi ever, the expansion of purchasing power as a result of increased wages and shorter hours created a big de- ! mand on coal, both for the railways ; and domestic purposes, while gas companies expanded their production on : New Zealand coal.

| “Recently the Australian strike accentuated the difficulty, as we had arranged importations for gas production i which had been cut right out, causing a greater drain on local supplies, j “Since 1 have been in otnee 1 have called two conferences of the mining [industry to emphasise the importance of greater co-operation within the industry to maintain production, urgj ing that if anything developed which I threatened to reduce the output reI presentations should be made promptly ; to the Government. The Mines Dei partment has kept on the alert, tabling the initiative to stimulate the production of more coal. The State mines have been increasing their output and keeping it at record proportions. However, in view of the present position, we deemed it advisable to call a conference forthwith to go into the whole question of production and obtain an assurance that extra supplies can be expected.” CO-OPERATION AND GOODWILL. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, May 15. . Following the coal conference this morning Hon. P. C. Webb stated at the luncheon adjournment that both parties realised the need of an effort to secure co-operation and goodwill, and expressed their eagerness to do all in their power to bring about an agreement that will do justice to the miners and provide a reasonable return on the capital involved, and also , guarantee a plentiful supply of coal.