PROTECTION FOR N.Z. COAL

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22310, 26 January 1938, Page 8

PROTECTION FOR N.Z. COAL

IMPORTS REGRETTED BY MINE OWNERS

WEST COAST MANAGER'S VIEWS

Mine owners and managers of mines not controlled by the State, while conceding that the importation of coal into New Zealand is necessary for international goodwill and trade generally, nevertheless must regret that any coal should have to be imported into this country at all. considering, as they do. that the coal resources of the Dominion are sufficient to meet the Dominion's requirements. This opinion was voiced by the manager of the Brunner Collieries, Ltd., Mr G. Smith, when supporting the views expressed by Mr C. C. Davis, president of the Coal Mine Owners' Association, when the latter, dealing with the importation of coal into New Zealand while speaking at the annual meeting of the association recently, emphasised that too much coal was being imported. Mr Smith agreed with Mr Davis that the existing mines in New Zealand were fully equipped and capable of supplying New Zealand's full requirements. He added that he thought the mines on the West Coast were easily capable of producing double their present output and that they were capable of absorbing a far greater number of men than were being employed in the mines to-day. Protection for New Zealand coal was almost an impossibility in his opinion. The raising of tariffs against the importation of coal from Australia would be met by the erection of tariffs against the importation of New Zealand timber into the Commonwealth. It was purely a matter of reciprocal trade. On the face of it the arrangement was ludicrous, since New Zealand's own mines could supply all that was required. The coal imported was a type demanded mostly by the gas companies, Mr Smith said. The same kind of coal could be obtained from 1 the Dominion's own mines. Indeed, for one year, when no coal had been imported from Australia whatever, New Zealand coal mines had had to meet the demand of the gas companies. The demand had been met easily and satisfaction had been expressed with the coal produced. The coal industry in New Zealand had to bear with higher wages, shorter hours, and costlier conditions than the industry in Australia, Mr Smith said. Most of the Australian mines were operated by machinery, while in New Zealand nearly all the mines were hand worked, their seams not being suitable for machine mining. Coal was therefore extracted from New Zealand mines with greater difficulty and greater cost than it was extracted from the mines of Australia.

In view of these facts it was up to the Government to restrict the importation of coal into New Zealand, Mr Smith considered. The importation of coal could not wholly be prevented, seemingly, but at least the quantity imported should be limited so as to provide some sort of protection for the industry in the Dominion. The imports for the last five years, In his opinion, had been far too great.

PERSONAL NOTES

GREYMOUTH

Misses C. and P. Dale, who have been spending a holiday in Greymouth; left on return to Ashburton yesterday. Mrs W. Page (Cobden) has returned home after a holiday spent in Blenheim.

Mr N. Gamble, who has been visiting friends in Greymouth, has returned to Christchurch. Mrs W. McGregor (Blackball) and Miss Kells (Cobden) returned from a visit to Wellington yesterday by Cook Strait Airways West Coast service. Mrs E. Caldwell (Greymouth) is visiting Christchurch.

Mr and Mrs J. D. Brosnan, who have been spending a holiday in Greymouth, left yesterday on return to Wellington. Mr A. E. Moncur, member of Parliament lor Rotorua, is visiting the West Coast.

WESTPORT

The Buller County Engineer (Mr C. F. Schadick, 0.8. E.) will leave for Wellington to-day. Mr Tom Mulligan, who has for many years been a leading resident of Waimangaroa, and who is leaving to take up his home in the North Island, was the guest of honour at a farewell gathering held in his honour last week. Mr O. Lunn, who presided, spoke of Mr Mulligan's good services to the community, as a citizen and as an active supporter of many branches of sport. He handed Mr Mulligan a tobacco pouch and a cheque. Mr George Richardson presented a box of cigars to Mr Mulligan, who siutably returned thanks.

SHIPPING

PORT OF GREYMOUTH

tTHE PRESS Special Service.!

GREYMOUTH, January 25. The Totara sailed from Greymouth last night with coal and timber for Gisborne. The Poolta is in port loading cargo for Wellington and is expected to sail to-night. She is scheduled to return on February 1 from Westport to complete loading cargo for Mlramar, Wellington, and Auckland. The Breeze, which was scheduled to leave Wellington yesterday for Greymouth, has been delayed in port through bad weather.' She will leave to-day with cargo for Wanganui, and is due at Greymouth on Thursday to load timber for Petone, Wellington, and Miramar. The Kakapo !'• due here on Monday from Auckland to load coal for Wellington. The Kartigi is due at Greymouth next Monday to load coal and timber for Auckland and Portland. The Rata has been delayed through bad weather but is expected at Greymouth to-morrow from Wanganui to load cargo for Tarakohe and Picton. The Titoki is due on January 31 from Wellington to load timber for Onehunga.

PORT. OP WESTPORT

(THE PRESS Special Service.]

WESTPORT, January 25,

The Nikau is now expected to leave Wellington to-day for Westport to load for Nelson.

The Kaimiro Is completing loading today for New Plymouth, Auckland, and Portland, sailing this afternoon for New Plymouth. The Wingatui is due here from Wellington to load next Monday for Wellington. The Kaimai is due from Dunedin to load here next Monday for Lyttelton and Oamaru.

The Totara is duo here from Gisborne to load next Monday for Tokomaru Bay. The Poolta is due from Wellington to part-load here next Monday for Auckland, completing at Greyrrfouth for Wellington and Auckland.

High water at Westport to-morrow, 6.37 a.m. and *Ufl p.m. (New Zealand standard time*.