PRICE OF COAL.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 86, 11 April 1912, Page 8

PRICE OF COAL.

STATE MINES AND DEPOTS. - "That the Government bo urged to open up additional .State coal mines and depots, with a, view to reducing the price of coal." In moving this motion at the Trades aud Labour Councils' Conference, to-day, Mr. Reader (Timaru) said it had been proved Wiafc tho establishment of State mines wa3 the only practical v/ay of reducing tho prica of coal, though tho mines may not have alway^ been worked to tho be&t adMr. G. R. Whiting (Christchurch) complained of tho non-establishmont of depots in various places aud the difficulty in getting State coal. Ho understood that a curtain shipping monopoly refused to carry tho coal in larjro quantities. Mr. R. Breen (Otago) urged that the conference should .go further than the motion suggested. It should suggest tho opening' of mines "in different localities," go that the State could vend a variety of coal. At present only ono class of coal was sold. Lignito mines should also be opened up. Mr. W. Naughton (Wellington) agreed with Mr. Breen. Tlio opening up of additional mines in different parts of tho country, and not solely on the Weet Coast, would be a practical step in reducing the cost of living. State competition was the only practical way of dealing with monopolies. Mr. M. J. Forde (Southland) declared the administration of the State coal mines had been entirely -unsympathetic. Tho Government appeared to throw cold water on the scheme. If the scheme were allowed to go to the wall it would take years to re-establish it. The motion was carried in the amended form suggested by Mr. Breen.