WAIKATO MINES

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 910, 1 March 1930, Page 10

WAIKATO MINES

PAUCITY OF WORK MINISTER STATES POSITION From Our Own Correspondent HAMILTON, Today. After meeting representatives frewn all coal-mining unions in the Waikato, together with members of the town board and business men, at Huntly on February 1, Mr. W. Lee Martin sent a telegram to the Acting - Prime Minister pointing out the serious position which had been brought about by the short time worked in mines, and asking that the Government increase its orders from "Waikato mines; and, failing this, that some relief works in the vicinity be started immediately. To the first part of the communication the Minister of Railways has replied that he had had the question carefully considered, but regretted that he could not permit of the request being acceded to. In answer to the meeting’s contention that, in view of the very wet season, the department could have continued using W'aikato coal, the Minister stated it was felt that, owing to the spark menace that was always present when "Waikato coals were used, it would not be safe for them to commence using these coals at the present juncture. The Minister added that the department was keenly alive to the desirability of using Waikato coals as much as possible, and orders would be increased as soon as circumstances perWith regard to the question of Hikurangi coal, the Minister pointed out that, owing to this fuel being subbituminous, it could be used continually with a minimum of danger as regards sparks, and in v.ew of this it had not been necessary for the department to reduce orders./or that particular coal. On the subject of relief work, Mr. Forbes said that owing to circumstances set out in his letter he was asking the Minister of Public Works to consider the question of providing employment by way of relief work in Huntly district.