GOODWILL BOND

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 255, 28 October 1942, Page 4

GOODWILL BOND

MINISTER CONFIDENT

MAXIMUM COAL PRODUCTIO

The first meeting of the Waikato Coal Mines Control Board, established under the Emergency Regulations of October 10, was held in the Ministerial rooms, Central Post Office. Auckland, to-day. The Minister of .Mines, Mr. Webb, presided. The proceedings were not open to the Press, the Minister stating that the meeting would be similar to a meeting of company directors. On arrival this morning from Wellington, Mr. Webb said the board's meeting would bo unique. On the outcome of its deliberations much depended. The whole of New Zealand's war effort wdf; largely dependent on coal. The important point was to get the maximum output froml the mines. Coai provided a problem in most countries. In Great Britain the war had made great demands on its production and thousands of men had been transferred from the army to the mines.

"I am confident that w will solve our problems in New Zealand with the methods we have adopted," the Minister said. "Since the men resinned work under the new conditions production has increased practically every day. New methods have been introduced and these have appreciably increased output. All that is wanted now is a reservoir of goodwill for the winning of the coal that is so urgently needed." Board's Personnel Referring to the personnel of the board, Mr. Webb said that if the Dominion was searched from end to end it would be difficult to obtain a better board of control or one more qualified for its duties. The three

mine superintendents were practical miners who had gainer! their experience by working on the coal face. They could be classed as three of the most outstanding mine managers and engineers in the country. The workers' representatives were both practical men and had long experience of mining condition*. The chairman of the Waikato Collieries Association, Mr. ] lector Morpeth, had an excellent reputation, and his business ability would be of great value to the board. Mr. Hendry Luke was the managing director of Wilton Collieries, Ltd., and he was a man of outstanding ability. He had a thorough knowledge of mining and understood thoroughly the psychology of the men. In addition he was chairman of the Auckland Harbour Hoard. It. was only a man of high commercial integrity who could obtain such a position.

"On the whole the board is one of the best qualified committees ever set up to deal with a biff and essential job," added the Minister. "1 feel sure that with all-round co-operation the maximum output of coal will be produced."

The personnel of the board is:— The Minister of Mines, chairman; Mr. Hector Morpeth, chairman of Waikato Collieries, Limited; Mr. Hendry Luke, managing director of Wilton Collieries, Limited; Mr. W. Parsonage, superintendent of Glen Afton Collieries, Limited; Mr. J. Watson, superintendent, of Taupiri Coal Mines, Limited; Mr. J Devlin, acting-secretary of the United Mine Workers; Mr. T. Hall, secretary of the Northern Miners' Union; Mr. C. J. Strongman, superintendent of State coal mines.