IMPORTED COAL

Evening Post, Issue 86, 11 April 1936, Page 12

IMPORTED COAL

IMPOSITION OF TAX

MINISTER'S STIPULATION

The ...extent, to ■which New Zealand coal is used in New Zealand will dictate the Government's policy so far as imposing a tax on imported" coal is concerned, according to a statement made by the Minister of Mines (the Hon. P. C. Webb) on Thursday.

Mr. Webb said he was seriously concerned about the quantity of imported coal coming into the country, and he felt that the mining industry of New Zealand should have the same degree of protection as the other industries. "I realise' the difficulties of some gas companies, which have constructed vertical retorts," he said. "These require high-class bituminous coals of non-coking character, whereas the major portion of the high-class bituminous coals in this country have swelling propensities which make them not quite so suitable for those retorts. However, I have certain information made available by the committee which was set up some time ago. That committee reported on the advantages to be obtained by mixing coals for different industries, and it is quite evident from this information that the vertical retorts could utilise considerably more native coal.

"But before making any recommendation to the Government to impose a duty on imported coal, I am anxious to find out to what extent the principal users of imported ,coal are prepared to meet the Government in, utilising a greater proportion of our own. With this in view I have circulated all gas companies in New Zealand, and I am pleased to say that in almost every case the companies have agreed to consider increasing the amount of native | coal they are using. This notwithstanding, I am still convinced that some of the works can utilise a still greater proportion of our coal, and I am hoping that those works will consider the matter fully.

"If the general response is sufficiently encouraging," Mr. Webb, added, "it will have a determining influence on any proposed legislation in the direction of a tax on imported coal. However, the matter will be watched very closely,'and I give my.assurance that the coal-mining industry of New Zealand will .receive justice from the Labour Government."