COAL CONTRACTS.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20026, 6 September 1930, Page 11

COAL CONTRACTS.

LOSS CAUSES CONCERN.

WESTPORT'S DECISION.

(fjtisa ASSOCIATION TK.EGIIAK.;

WESTPORT, September 5,

That the coal mining crisis has created a tense feeling in the mining community was evident this evening, when' the Torn Hal] was unable to accommodate the large gathering that assembled for a public meeting convened for the purpose of discussing th© crisis. Mr Harkness (Mayor) presided and' speches were made, calling attention to the unemployment caused at the mines bv the Government s action in reducinz orders for coal tor the railways, and in allowing subsidised New. South Wales coal to come into the country to compete with iSew Zealand coal. . • The following resolution was carried, and Messrs J. H. Enright, G. Flavell, Russell and Lock were a^ x , deputation to proceed to Wellington and interview the Acting-Prime Ministol"That this, representative public TM/Netinsr -of coal owners, miners ana the general ' public of the Buller district wishes to draw the urgent attention Vof the Government tp the importance of continuing, the use. of New Zealand • coal on the railways, also to the Tiecd of'placing an. embargo on -imported coal, or of levying-a duty equal at least to the subsidv being received bv Australiair exporters: from their Government. Unless this is decided upon, an important industry willbc •crippled, arid large numbers of men. now employed in this and cognate industries will be thrown on an already overcrowded labour market. In V 1 of the 'large revere derived .by the Government for : railage, royalties and port, changes, .this, meeting is convinced that it is the Dominion to ns© New Zealand coal exclusively, and as as tlie Govern nient is concerned.' the revenue from the above mentioned; charges we than offsets anv saving, that ihere might be to it .i.y tismg Australian coal. Also, that a conference be ca led of all parties conn<»ted with tlie business aforementioned— owners, miners, shipping and; othermterestswitli a view .of placing "the; industry on a, better basis-"