RECORD PRODUCTION

Evening Star, Issue 25425, 5 March 1945, Page 6

RECORD PRODUCTION

COAL RETURNS FOR YEAR " FRIVOLOUS " STOPPAGES CONDEMNED (P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, March 5. A new record for coal production in New Zealand was established in l!)-M, the increase over the 1943 figure beiny, 14,388 tons. Making this known this morning, the Minister of Mines, the Hon. P. C. Webb, said that it was with general satisfaction that he coald announce a record output, despite rive' bar trouble and stop-work meetings which, with a full appreciation of loyalty to the Government, could have been avoided. Mr Webb said that the total output last year was 2,802,256 tons. Si'iee 1939. when the output of coal was 2,342.639 tons, production had risen by 459,617 tons, or nearly 20 per cent. "The great need is for the development of better industrial relationships in the industry, and my energies l.nve been devoted principally to this task," said Mr Webb. " Some progress has been made, but it is only by patience and perseverance that the advantages of work and arbitration on disputes can be demonstrated, and the folly of frivolous stoppages and stop-work meetings exposed."

The prospects for the present year were good, said Mr Webb, but the whf-le question of supplies depended on freedom from excessive industrial disputes and from abnormal delays to shilling or problems. These qualifications were unavoidable.