CURTIN WARNS

Evening Star, Issue 25225, 12 July 1944, Page 3

CURTIN WARNS

GOAL RESTRICTIONS PROBABLE AUSTRALIAN PRODUCTION UNSATISFACTORY Vress Association—By Telegraph—Copyright CANBERRA, July 11. 4. blunt warning to the Australian public to prepare lor restrictions upon the use of coal was given to-day by Mr Curtin. "Itis a matter of getting more coal or consuming less," Mr Oui'tin said. "We are not getting it, so 1 am considering the question of restrictions upon its consumption." An experiment designed to obtain about 350,000,000 tons of coal left uncnined in old workings will be begun at Cessiiock, New South Wales, next Monday. The coal is valued at more than £250,000,000. Mining experts estimate Mutt at the present rate of consumption it would last Australia 30 years. Six-inch holes will be bored through the overburden and top coal. Sand will he poured into the workings and then forced into place by water pressure. 'l'his hydraulic stowage will support the roof while the top layer of unmined coal is extracted. Experts thus hope to win much of the coal now locked in pillars (solid blocks of coal left as roof supports) and in the tops above the oillars. If the experiment is successful the life of the Maitland coalfield in New South Wales will he extended by UO vears.