COAL INDUSTRY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 239, 8 October 1932, Page 12

COAL INDUSTRY.

HOW IT COUXD BE

SUGGESTIONS IN PARLIAMENT,

Six points which he considered would revive the coal industry, which was at present languishing, were outlined by the Hon. W. H. Mclntyre in the Legislative Council. Mr. Mclntyre said that the advent and increasing use of oil and electricity had caused a decrease in the consumption of coal and the industry needed stimulating. It was up to the Government to investigate the matter because coal composed a quarter of the freight carried by the railways. The Government also owned the Westport Harbour. The output of the West Coast mines especially was declining, and not only were the miners suffering but the business men in the mining districts were facing bankruptcy, and there was a danger that the industry would perish. He considered that if the suggestions contained in the following six points were adopted the industry would benefit (considerably: — (1) The costs of the industry would have to be reduced, and these could be decreased by co-operation and arrangement between the owners and miners. Since 1915 the costs had almost doubled.

(•2) The railway freights should be reduced, fus they were crucifying the industry. (3) There should be a special low rail and shipping freight charge for bituminous slack, which now bore the same charge as screened coal. A decrease in the rate for this class of coal would reeult in increased consumption. (4) There should be a substantial reduction jn steamer charges, which were twice as high to-day as they wero in 1914.

(5) There should be a duty on fuel oil which was a foreign product and came into New Zealand duty free. It was not even subject to primage duty. (6) There should be a dumping duty of at least 1/9 per ton on coal coming from Australia. The New South Wales Government paid 1/9 per ton on coal exported to New Zealand, and this bounty should be counteracted. There would be an outcry from the farmeri if butter and cheese were allowed to come into the country free, -and the wheat farmers also received protection.