Govt. assessing coal reserves

Press, 28 July 1976, Page 10

Govt. assessing coal reserves

The Government was rapidly expanding its programme to assess the country’s coal reserves more accurately, said the Minister of Mines (Mr Holland). Mr Holland was replying to a letter in “The Press” from Mark D. Sadler who said: “I was disturbed to read in ‘The Press’ on July 6 that production of coal in New Zealand decreased by 151,924 tonnes from 1974 to 1975, and that production is apparently still being run down by the Government. Last week I heard of a man who, to help save overseas funds, went through the costly process of changing from" oil to coil to heat his glasshouses, and then had to change back from coal to oil because he could not get a regular supply of coal. When the Government was elected on a pledge to reduce our huge trading deficit, and when replacing oil consumption by local coal could be a means of helping to reduce this deficit, Government policy towards coal production seems incomprehensible. I wonder if Mr Holland could tell us if he is taking any steps to make it possible for people to rely on coal instead of oil.” Mr Holland said that the large majority of our coal reserves would require the

construction of underground mines, the employment of new techniques and the recruitment and training of a skilled labour force.

He suggested that although Mr Sadler's acquaintance probably had the best of intentions he would have been better advised to have ensured the continuity of his coal supply before committing himself to installing expensive new equipment.