COAL FOR ELECTRIC POWER SUPPLIES

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 123, 18 February 1941, Page 6

COAL FOR ELECTRIC POWER SUPPLIES

Ample supplies of electric power are essential if production, both primary and secondary, is to be increased. The various power boat cis. although mostly distributing agents—the State being the chief supplier of power—have auxiliary stations using steam for generating electricity, and they are faced in some districts, with a shortage of coal. The demand for power is growing rapidly and it has been estimated that the North Island power boards will require an additional 150,000 tons of coal this year. There are serious shortages in stocks held, and representations have been made to the Minister of Mines. Mr. Webb has stated that the total output of coal for the Dominion lasi year was a record, but to that record total the northern fields did not make a sufficient contribution. The immediate need is for increased production there, and the Minister has promised to arrange a conference in the Waikato at which representatives of the owners, the miner.and the power boards can review the position. The latest particulars available show that in 1939 the northern coalfields produced 802,000 tons. That was an increase of 40,000 on the total output for the preceding year, but actually was 35,000 tons below that for 1935. despite the fact that there were more men employed. For some years the quantity of coal produced in the northern areas had fallen, touching the lowest point in 1938. In the following year there was a marked improvement, and possibly the figures for 1940 will show a fairly substantial gain. Were production restored to the 1935 level there would be, on the 1939 basis, a further 35.000 tons of coal available, so that, given a continued, combined effort, the northern fields should lie able to provide a very substantial contribution to meet the estimated requirements for the current vear. It would have the further advantage of not adding to the problem of shipping. The proposed conference should serve a useful purpose, and in order that the whole field might be covered in the discussions the Minister should invite representatives of the dairy companies to attend. They arc possibly the largest consumers of coal, and the presence oi men able to place the position of the industry before the conference would link coal mining directly with a most important branch of farming. It is essential to stress the interdependence of all branches of industry, and the results should be of mutual benefit. The Minister himself should watch the interests of the many other consumers, including the private householder. The outcome of the meeting will be awaited with interest for it may mark a further step in the necessary policy of “getting together” in a time of national stress