MINISTER’S APPEAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 31 August 1939, Page 8

MINISTER’S APPEAL

UNITY NEEDED IN COAL INDUSTRY ONLY ALTERNATIVE TO OPEN MORE MINES. WITH DETRIMENT TO ALL CONCERNED. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. The conference called by the Minister of Mines (Mr Webb) as a result ot the refusal of the parties concerned in the strike in the Waikato district to refer their differences to a disputes committee, opened today. Stating that he had been let down by both the miners and the coal owners, Mr Webb appealed to the representatives of both parties to co-operate and produce coal sufficient for New Zealand's requirements. "If we cannot get together and work harmoniously," he said “I shall be forced to revise my whole policy and open ujS new mines. Everyone knows what that will mean. There will be short-time employmentfor everybody, and it will be almost impossible for any company to make a profit." Mr Webb referred to the necessity that existed to produce more coal so as to obviiate any importations which would affect the exchange position. He did not want to discuss the rights or wrongs of the case of the man of seventy or eighty who had been sacked, ho said. What he wanted was to throw oil on troubled waters. “We are still faced with a serious crisis." said Mr Webb, “and if there is one time when we should endeavour to settle our little differences that time is now. The coal owners cannot operate unless they have the co-operation of the -men and the men can get nowhere unless they stand in with their organisation aand act along constitutional lines.” SUPPLIES FOR HOSPITALS. AUCKLAND. August 30. After receipt of numerous telegrams from hospitals from as far north as North Auckland to Taranaki on the west coast, requesting that supplies of coal be made available to institutions the secretary to the Northern Miners' Union, Mr T. Hall, said that every ef - fort would be' made to keep hospitals supplied with fuel. About 70,000 tons of coal were lying at Rotowaro for the Waikato Carbonisation Company, Limited, he added and, if necessary, the requirements of hospitals would bo dispatched by the company’s employees.