N.Z. COAL FOR JAPAN

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28795, 16 January 1959, Page 11

N.Z. COAL FOR JAPAN

Wellington Talks Oh Prospects

(NeW Prost Anoctation) WELLINGTON, January 15. Prospects of developing the export .of New Zealand eoal to Japan were discussed today when the Minister of Mines (Mr Hackett) and the member of Parliament for Westland (Mr J. B. Kent) met two representatives of the Mitsubishi Mining Company of Japan. Mr Masao Iwama, sub-manager of the producing department, and Mr Toshio Nakayama, sub-manager of the equipment department. Mr Hackett said later that the issues involved were fully discussed. Mr Iwama, who was chief mining engineer of the Mitsubishi company, would make a survey of coal resorces in Westland, in conjunction with technical officers of the Geological Survey and the Mines Department Mr Nakayama, who was chief civil engineer of the company, would investigate port facilities, including the possibility of making a harbour at Port Elizabeth. The Ministry of Works and the Marine Department would co-operate in this investigation. Mr Hackett added that everything possible would be done to overcome any difficulties that might be in the way of developing a long-term coal business With Japan. The Japanese Experts The Japanese experts are scheduled to stay in this country for about two or three weeks, and are expected to make a general technical survey of the prospective mines which might be able to supply suitable coking coal for the Japanese steel industry. Coal would be required by the Mitsubishi industries on a longterm basis, they added. They believed the results of the survey they were to make would mean a development in business between New Zealand and Japan to the interest of both countries.