PLEDGE GIVEN TO GOVERNMENT

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 239, 4 July 1940, Page 10

PLEDGE GIVEN TO GOVERNMENT

Production Of Coal

STATEMENT BY MINISTER OF MINES

A pledge to tlie Government that they would co-operate to produce the coal required in tlie Dominion without interruption or delay, was made at a meeting of mine owners and men, said the Minister of Mines, Mr. Webb, in a statement published on May 22. “The men who attended this meeting knew the position in detail and knew exactly what was required to meet the situation,” tlie Minister added. “My appeal goes out now to the owners, managers and men engaged at the mines—give full and practical support to tlie Government at this time and show the people of this country what you tire able to do.” “At this critical time in our history as a tuition every man is expected to put his full weight into the effort to produce more of the goods needed for our industries so that we may effectively serve the interests which stand for freedom and democracy,” said Mr. Webb.

“Importations of coal in 1939 amounted to 111,537 tons —2331 tons more than in 1938. The returns for the past year also indicate that the production a man showed a slight improvement on the previous year. The output for each man employed underground was two tons higher at 661 tons, and for each man on the payroll an improvement of live tons at 492 tons.

“Consumption of coal in industry has shown a substantial increase. Over the past five years consumption in factories has increased by 130,000 tons, and coal used by railway locomotives has also shown a steady increase, the consumption last year being about 15.000 tons higher than the previous, year’s. It is clear that tlie Government’s policy of industrial expansion has necessitated more power being required for factories and an increased tonnage of goods being carried on the railways. This has called for greater production from our own mines, and has also resulted in certain classes of slack coal hitherto dumped as unsaleable being profitably utilized. Diminution of Stocks,

“Up to the end of December, 1939, the situation in this country was quite satisfactory. Unfortunately, since that time production has not kept apace with consumption, and there has been a very rapid diminution of stocks held by industry. A series of unusual events contributed to this position. “First, production decreased at the Glen Afton Colliery, which had been affected by the disaster which occurred toward the end of last year. Slips and Hooding in the North Island and ou the West Coast of the South Island delayed shipping and immobilized a number of railway wagons, which held up production at the principal collieries. I ant informed that the loss of output caused by these circumstances was in the vicinity of 60.000 tons. For the first three mouths of this year production of coal was 35.G24 tons lower than for the same period in 1939, but the April returns show an increase of 60.000 tons over April, 1939. The leeway has already been made up, and I am satisfied that the returns from now on will continue to show improvement “I would also like to emphasize that the protracted strike in Australia has made it necessary to supply coal from New Zealand mines for naval vessels, vital war requirements, and for bunkering steamers carrying foodstuffs and produce to England. Essential War Industries.

“We have had to make some sacrifice to ensure that essential war industries were kept going, and that vessels carrying goods and produce urgently required in England were not held up. This was not done without calculating the cost to this country, but I am satisfied that no other course of action was possible or would have met with the approval of the public. “We are now on the eve of winter, and coal temporarily is in short supply. I use the word ‘temporarily’ advisedly, because I am confident that the men engaged in the coal-mining industry will rise to the occasion and produce the coal required to enable all our industrial and transport units to function normally and without interruption, and at the same time ensure that plenty of fuel will be available for the domestic needs of - the community. “I want to be able, to reassure the general public and let them know that the coal they require for their factories or their homes will be available to them, and to tell my colleague, the Minister of Railways, that he need not worry about reducing his railway services. I have had sufficient experience at coal-mining to say that this is not blind optimism on my part—l know it caw be done and 1 am confident that it will be done. “Bath the owners and the men realize what is required of them. All that is necessary is a. better spirit of mutual respect and goodwill and an earnestness at this juncture to set aside any petty differences which may arise to serve the nation at this hour faithfully and well, than which no higher or more patriotic duty exists. “Finally, 1 would like to make it clear that the Government has been fully alive to the need for keeping up the production of coal,” said Mr. Webb. “In addition to the three State collieries operating near Greymouth, from which 1200 tons daily are produced, two other collieries, abandoned by the former owners, have been reopened as State coal mines. One of these in Mangapeebi commences production this week, and the other, near Ohura, is expected to commence production within o fortnight. Tlie Government is also assisting three' other collieries with finance and technical advice to maintain output, and in an effort to place these Units on an economic basis.”