COAL, LABOUR

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 81, 6 April 1943, Page 4

COAL, LABOUR

TWIN GAS PROBLEMS

MINISTER PROMISES HELP

The Minister of Mines, Mr. Webb,' this morning visited the Auckland gasworks to gain first-hand knowledge concerning the conditions which have created the shortage of & Mr. WeDb said he was greatly impressed with what was being done at the works, where the men were working long hours in an effort to serve the vital needs of important war industries and the domestic consumers. He realised also ,the grave difficulties of the company in consequence of both coal and labour shortages, and congratulated both the company and the men on having avoided any serious disruption. After seeing the nature of the work, Mr. Webb said he was fully convinced that it was of no use to send other than Class I men for employment at the works, and he would immediately present the full details to the Prime Minister and his colleagues. In regard to the coal position, Mr. Webb stated that the real problem was the supply of shipping, and the Cabinet's efforts to secure a large additional cargo of Australian coal had been recently frustrated by conditions in Australia. However, a smaller additional vessel had been made available by the Admiralty for coal service, and this should bring an early improvement. The company's output of gas was 20 per cent above last year's consumption, due to the increased requirement of gas for the armed forces and to the vital industries supplying them, and if private individuals had to suffer inconvenience they should do so cheerfully, knowing the real causes. The Minister was impressed by the work being carried out on the new chamber ovens which, when completed, would materially increase the ability of the company to produce gas provided labour and coal were available. The first two units were nearly completed, and would be put into operation early in May. Mr. Webb promised to give early attention to the problem of labour and coal for the new plant. i