DOMINION'S COAL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 180, 31 July 1940, Page 9

DOMINION'S COAL.

INCREASED OUTPUT.

RESTRICTED IMPORTS.

NEED TO CONSERVE FUNDS.

(By Telegraph.—Parliament*!?- Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. The Mines Statement tabled in Parliament this afternoon by the Minister of Mines, the Hon. P. C. Webb, shows that 152 coal-mines operated in tie Dominion during 1939. Of these mines, 69 were situated on freehold property and produced 1,026,095 tons of coal, or 44 per cent of the total output. The remaining S3 mines were situated on Crown lands and produced 1,316,544 tons.. The total output of 2,342,639 tons compares with 2,222,05S tons in 1938, an increase of I.la per cent. The quantity of coal imported last year was 111,537 tons as compared with 100,206 tons for the previous year, an increase of 2331 tons. The Minister pointed out in this respect the need to conserve overseas funds, by restricting importations to the bare requirements of certain consuming units which cannot operate efficiently without a, proportion of Australian coal. A survey of coal-mines already developed shows that they are capable of expanding production sufficiently to meet the requirements of consumers. The policy of not granting new coal-mining rights over Crown lands, except in isolated places, has therefore been maintained. During 1940, it is estimated that an output of at least 2,500.000 tons will be required to fulfil the requirements of the Dominion. It is anticipated that this quantity will be produced without difficulty.