Little Interest Shown In Coast’s Coal Difficulties

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30212, 17 August 1963, Page 14

Little Interest Shown In Coast’s Coal Difficulties

tfrom Our Parliamentary Reporter! WELLINGTON, August 16. “The situation has become so serious in the eyes of the Government, with the development of the oil plant in the north, that the Government will have to take steps in the rationalisation of fuels,” said the Minister of Mines (Mr Shand) in Parliament today during discussion on the Mines Department estimates. Members did not show a great deal of interest in the problem of coal versus oil, or in the difficulties of the West Coast, however. Many members were absent, and, apart from Mr Shand, only three members spoke on coal problems. The estimates were passed in about 40 minutes, without any mention being made of a ministry of fuel and power.

Mr W. E. Rowling (Opposition, Buller) asked if the Mines Department offered advice to any flrm or person wanting to set up industrial plant. It was easy to get advice on oil plant, and at very little cost. The lack of comparable advice on coalburning equipment placed the industry at a serious disadvantage. The oil companies also offered discounts over the years to regular users of oil, Mr Rowling said. The Mines Department had been approached, but had said that its margin was so small that it could not afford to do this. Were any coal-using plants being shown as examples to intending users? “The lack of advertisement is an important matter,” Mr Rowling said. “I do not think the coal industry could have a better advertisement Loan large visible supplies at the point of use.” Mr Shand had advocated an inquiry into coal usage, and bad stated that a strong lead from the Gove, wnent was desirable. The lead had

not eventuated. There had been talk of a mineral resources committee, but that had been all, said Mr Rowling. Mr Shand said the use of pulverised coal as a fuel might provide more opportunities in industry. The production of pulverised coal was part of the briquetting industry, from which much was still to be learned. “In coal utilisation we are short-handed,” he said. “The problem has been to recruit people with the required technical training.” Mr P. Blanchfleld (Opposition, Westland) said it was well known that the West Coast could produce all the coal needed in New Zealand. Yet Christchurch, a mere 150 miles away from these great bituminous coalfields, was short of coal. This was a scathing indictment on the people in charge of supply

"The solution seems to be to put storage bins at the points of demand —in Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland,” he said. The

Minister should find out the cost involved in putting up storage bins to take 10,0'9 or 20,000 tons.

“Just why Christchurch is short of coal is the biggest mystery I have ever heard of.” said Mr Blanchfleld. “The West Coast is producing the coal. The Railways Department says no coal has been left for lack of waggons. It is claimed the terchants have not kept tip their orders, but the merchants blame the railways.” The coal problem was not peculiar to New Zealand, but the Dominion was better equipped than other countries to deal with it, said Mr W. A. Fox (Opposition. Miramar). Coal shortages near the source of supply were “the fault of man, and nothing else.” Mr Shand said the shortage had applied to Strongman coal only. He did not think the building of bins in Christchurch was the answer. The department had been improving coal storage facilities in Christchurch.