COAL OUTPUT.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 February 1921, Page 5

COAL OUTPUT.

DECREASE LAST YEAR. I HEAVY IMPORTS MADE. WELSH COAL COMING. I 1 By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. An important statement submitted to the Premier by the Coal Controller shows a decreased output from the principal bituminous, and semi-bituminous mines for the year 1920, of 112,311 tons. Brown coals of the North Island show a decrease of 0332 tons, and brown and lignites of the South Island show a decrease of 2337 tons, a total shortage of 120,980 tons. The statement shows record importations of 646,019 tons, against 455,494 for 1919, which left a net surplus, for 1920, compared with previous years, of 69,545 tons. The previous highest coal importation was 518,070 tons in 1914. Importations during the last three months of 1920 were very heavy, totalling 253.G12 tons, of which 151,405 was on railway account The output of the principal mines dffo creased in December, 1920, comparer with November, 1920, by 27.544 tons, but the imports increased for December by 20,433 tons. Owing partly to holidays the December, 1920, figures, however, show increases over December, 1919, in all claasses of coal totalling 12,411 tons, and imports show an increase of 43,617, making a total increase of 56,025 tons, which, says the Controller, "it must be admitted is a very satisfactory result.” ( The most unsatisfactory feature, he adds, is the steady falling off in the output from the bituminous and semibituminous mines. Only special efforts to import have enabled the industries and services of the Dominion to be maintained, and the figures point to the urgent necessity to increase the production of these classes of coal. The money sent abroad to purchase over half a million tons of coal is a serious item. He respectfully submits that a special effort be made this year to increase the number of mine?.

The mines showing the largest decrease in output are: Westport Coal Co., 39,435 tons; Point Elizabeth, 42,135 tons; North Brunner. 4608; Brunner, 3738; Paparoa (closed down during most of the year, but now reopened), 22,394; Northern (Auckland), 9689; Hikurangi, 13,416. The following showed increases: Liverpool Colliery. 18.993 tons; Stockton, 2178; Blackball, 2033: total, 23,204. The net result is, as already stated, a deficit of 112,311 tons. Mr. Massey stated that a 10,000 ton boat load of Welsh coal is coming to New Zealand SETTLING THE DISPUTE. BOARD TO HOLD INQUIRY. NAMES OF THE MEMBERS. Dunedin, Last Night. At a meeting of the Kaitangata Miners’ Union a telegram from Mr. Ar['buckle (secretary of the Miners’ Fed- ; eration) was discussed. The communiI cation stated that the final conference ' with the Prime Minister was abortive, i and the final proposal placed before the | federation was that a board consisting | of Messrs. J. Bishop. R. Semple, and G. (Elliott, be set up to inquire into the : whole position and decide whether Hen--1 derson* (Blackball) was rightly dismissed. the board’s decision to bo final. The. Kaitangata. Miners’ Union came ’ to no decision at this morning’s meet- ! ing, hut mot again at night and agreed t& accept the proposed board. It is understood that if the Blackball Union agrees to the setting up of the board the Kaitangata men will resume work. Tn the meantime the mines are still idle.