INCREASED USE OF COAL

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21701, 7 February 1936, Page 14

INCREASED USE OF COAL

CALL TO NEW ZEALAND GAS INDUSTRY

MINISTER'S ADDRESS TO CONFERENCE

"The prosperity of the coal industry is inseparable from the prosperity of the gas industry, and both must work together." This statement was made to the annual conference of the Gas Institute of New Zealand by the Minister for Mines, the Hon. P. C. Webb, in an address yesterday, when he urged the necessity for the greater consumption of New Zealand coal in the manufacture of gas.

"The Government is convinced," said Mr Webb, "that the gas companies should make greater use of New Zealand coal. The industry must realise that in recent years the New Zealand mines, particularly those producing bituminous coal, have had a bad spin and an unfair spin."

With adjustments to plant it should be possible, he said, for the companies to promote increased consumption of coal mined in the Dominion. At present many mines were working only half time. He fully realised that competition from other industries was being faced, but he would do his best to make those industries contribute their share towards the national revenue.

The success of the coal mining industry was reflected in the financial condition of the country as a whole, and the gas industry was the largest consumer of coal in New Zealand. From the Mines Department's point of view, co-operation could be invaluable in carrying out plans at present being formed for development. The New Zealand coal gas industry could give great assistance in the industrial progress.of the entire Dominion. The Minister urged the institute to keep abreast of scientific advances made in the industry, and to apply those advances to New Zealand conditions. Any organisation that failed to appreciate the worth of scientific research was domed to failure. It was the intention of the Government of New Zealand to call in the best brains available.

During the afternoon half the delegates visited the premises of the Osborne Gas Stove Company, Opawa, and the others either visited the Botanic Gardens and the Robert McDougall Art Gallery, or played bowls at the Opawa green. The evening was given Vover to entertainment.

This morning, at 10 a.m.. papers on "Selling," by Mr A. R. McDougall (Ti--maru), and "New Water Heating Apparatus," by Mr F. J. Kennedy (Wellington), will be read. In the afternoon, the delegates will be taken for a drive, and in the evening the final business meeting of the conference will be held.