AN OBLIGATION TO BE

Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 96, 23 April 1940, Page 8

AN OBLIGATION TO BE

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Not very long ago coal miners in New Zealand were working short time. In an endeavour to meet the position, the Minister of Mines (Mr. Webb) appealed for the co-operation of industry in a campaign to increase the use of coal hewn in the Dominion, and at the same time the miners urged a ban on imports. Today New Zealand is experiencing a shortage, of coal. At any time this would be serious; at a time of emergency it is particularly so. The unfortunate and ill-timed strike in ' Australia'is no c^oubt partly responsible for the shortage, as supplies of" New Zealand coal, which normally wouH have been available for local con* sumption, have possibly been diverted, but, judging by the statement made by Mr. Webb yesterday, there are other reasons. It is the Minister's intention to confer with mine owners and mine workers in order to review conditions prevailing in the industry. At the conclusion of the conference, recommendations are to be submitted to the Government for "the enforcement of better co-ordination in the industry." Mr. Webb did not go into details, but it is apparent from his statement that he is not satisfied with the conditions prevailing on the minefields. With the approach of winter, the public

will naturally feel some concern and -will welcome a speedy solution of the difficulty. It is to be hoped, however, that the Government, through the Minister, will not find i,t necessary to "enforce" better coordination in the industry. At the present time a responsibility rests on all to see that "nothing is allowed to hinder the Dominion's war effort or to prevent the normal functioning of essential services, The coal industry should be capable of solving its, own problems without any necessity for the Government to enforce conditions which may be irksome to' both sides. If better co-ordination is necessary, it should be possible to bring it about on a voluntary basis if there is full recognition .by all concerned that encouragement of the use of New Zealand coal carries with it a definite obligation to assure ample and regular supplies.