COAL CARBONISATION

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 924, 18 March 1930, Page 7

COAL CARBONISATION

EXTENDED USE OF N.Z. FUEL MINES MINISTER’S STATEMENT Press Association WELLINGTON, Monday. That 100 per cent, use of New Zealand coal will be made possible by the establishment of coal carbonisation plants in the Dominion Is the opinion of the Minister of Mines, the Hon. W. A. Veitch, as expressed to a deputation from''the United Coal Miners’ Association today. Replying to a suggestion of the deputation that a greater percentage of New Zealand coal should be used on the railways, the Minister said the position regarding Waikato coal was most unsatisfactory, and he was doing his best to improve it. For several months in the dry season the Railway Department could not use the lighter coal product of the Waikato for fear of setting fire to the countryside. There were two ways in which it was hoped to overcome that problem. In the first place, a new device had been invented whereby a steam jet was introduced into the firebox of a locomotive, and it was hoped that by the use of this attachment the lighter

coals would be used all the year round. Tests were being carried out at present, and if the results proved sufficiently satisfactory to warrant the Minister of Railways in fitting locomotives with the device the deputation could be sure that the Minister would have the engines so equipped. “I am not altogether sure about the device, and it may not work out,” he said. ‘‘ln the second place, I am doing everything in my power to induce the establishment of coal carbonisation plants in different parts of the Dominion.” continued the Minister. ‘‘lf we can get these working we can easily reach a'point at which not only the railways, but everybody in New Zealand can use 100 per cent, of New Zealand coal. That is what we are aiming at.” In reply to another point raised by the deputation the Minister said if be agreed to the opening of more coal leases it would be only on condition that very careful provision was made against monopolies, particularly in regard to prices. “I am so confident of the future of the coal-mining industry in New Zealand as a result of these coal carbonisation plants that I believe we will require a great deal more coal than we have had before,” said the Minister. "We will be able to use up the slack coal to much greater advantage. Our miners will not only be working under much better conditions, but people will be supplied with better coal at a lower price, and that without any wage reductions.”