COAL SALES PROBLEM

Press, Volume C, Issue 29623, 20 September 1961, Page 16

COAL SALES PROBLEM

Promotion Campaign INK Press Association) WELLINGTON, Sept. 19 A better coal-sales promotion campaign was urged by Mr P Blanchfleld 'Opnosi'ion. Westland) in the House of Representatives tonight He described the present coal sales position as “desperate ” The Minister of Mines (Mr Shand) said the Coal Advisory Services Association was doing good work on the problems of selling eoal “But it’s unhill work sellins coal azins’ the competition of oil and elec’rieity" he said "It’s a problem to sell coal for Industrial ourpo«es when Industrialis’* have the convenience of small oil-fired burners or electricity “ Mr Shand said he hoped the deterioration in the marketing of coal would be checked “But we have a pretty difficult situation There are over a quarter of a million tons of eoal lying on slack heaps throughout the country with verv litf.e prosperof being sold” Mr Shand said the Mines Department was trying to do more on the problem of coal u’”sation

Mr J B Gordon (Govern ment Clutha) said New Zealand ought to be doing mo“e in coal research Mr M A Connelly (Opposition Riccarton) urged greater eo-ordinatlon between the DSIR., the Mines

Department, and private industry.