STATE COLLIERIES

Evening Star, Issue 15910, 16 September 1915, Page 2

STATE COLLIERIES

THE YEAR’S WORKING. Lass OF £14,000. [From Our Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLIN'GTON, September 16. It is stated in the Mines Department’s report, which was presented to Parliament yesterday by the Minister (Hon. W. D. S. Mac Donald) that the output from the State collieries last year amounted to 200,177 tons, of which 128,188 tons was produced from the Point Elizabeth mine and- 72,000 tons from the newly-opened Liverpool mine. The total output from State mines was 3,906 tons greater than that of the previous year. Afc'"the Liverpool colliery, by boring operations carried out during the year in the valley of Sevenmi lo Creek, a valuable seam of superior bituminous coal has been proved over an. area of about 130 acres. The eeain, which is to be called tho Morgan seam, averages in thickness 17ft, and the estimated quantity of coal already proved amounts to about 3,500,000 tonsi Boring operations arc still in progress, and furtherreserves of coal will in all probability ’ be proved. This, the most important mineral discovery in the Dominion during the year, was made by a Government prospecting drill, and is a further tribute to the efficacy of such drills for tho purpose oi accurately determining the extent and value of mineral deposits. Prom a financial point of view the year's business was more satisfactory than during the previous year-, though a less of £14,152 13s lid is shown in the balance-sheet. This loss may be attributed to the -approaching exhaustion of the old Point Elizabeth mine, and the fact that the new Liverpool colliery had not been sufficiently developed to supply all requirements, which is not remarkable, as the mine only reached the output stage during the latter part of 1915. 1116 presentation of the report prompted a brief discussion, in which the Labor members made several suggestions. STATE URGED TO SELL MINES. Mr G. J. Anderson, said that the mining report showed a loss on the State Coal Departments this year of £14,000. Three years ago .£45,000 was written off for a briquette -plant; and in 1913 there was another loss of £23,000. It was not fair, therefore, to saddle the present Government with responsibility for the non-suc-cess of the State mines. At the same time, he thought the mines could be made to pay under private enterprise, and it .might' be advisable to sell the mines. Some of the State depots also showed a loss. He urged that the Government, if unable to see how to make the mines pay, should dispose of them. EX-MINES MINISTER’S VIEWS. Mr Colvin said a little knowledge was dangerous, and the last speaker had made erroneous statements. He contended there had not been a lose on the Grey mine. As a matter of fact, under proper management the mines would be the best-paying institution in the country. The Grey mine was only being opened up, and in ten years, when fully developed, it would Ibe paying handsomely. He urged greater attention, by the Government to mining development. VESTED INTERESTS. Mr Payne said that many members of the House represented vested interests, and did nob truly represent the country in such important matters as State enterprises. * STATE COAL BOATS. Mr P. C. Webb urged the Government to obtain State collieries in order to increase distribution. WMle tho Blackball | Company had provided boats for themselves, the State remained at the mercy of the Union Steam Ship Company. He advocated the granting of increased State support of the mining industry. Dr Thacker strongly advocated healthier conditions for miners to safeguard them against disease. The Minister, replying, said that everything that could possibly be done to improve the conditions of the industry would be done. Ae to prospecting, he believed that tho Government had assisted in every case where there had been a really genuine application. The mining industry had not been lost sight of, and during the past five years the/ sum of £309,000 had been expended on ft.