COAL MINES REVIVAL

Greymouth Evening Star, 13 February 1932, Page 5

COAL MINES REVIVAL

GOOD NEWS FOR DISTRICT DOBSON TO RESUME There are definite signs of an all round improvement in the district coal mining industry. This week has brought orders from the Railway Department, and other sources which are sufficient to provide the State, and Wallsend mines with full time next week, and to warrant the re-opening of the Dobson mine on Monday. A revival of the industry will do much to cope with unemployment problems in the Grey district, as 200 men on the “dole” at Dobson, will return to theii’ regular employment. With continuity of the coal orders, a general improvement in other trades throughout the district should immediately follow. After being idle for four and a-half months, the Grey Valley Collieries at Dobson, will reopen on Monday. Approximately 200 men will be started, and a full week’s work is ahead of them. Mr C. Hunter, manager of the mine, stated this morning, that one or two pairs might not get a start on Monday, as some places require repairing, but everything possible will be done to have these ready. The orders received warranted the reopening, and it is hoped that a regular supply of orders will follow. The main factor affecting the continuity of the demand for the Company’s coal, will be its clean quality. The responsibility for this is with the miners, and if they are intent on keeping out foreign material, then there is reason to believe that the orders will be kept up. Co-operation and efficiency, is also necessary from officials and workmen, and if it is found that the Company are not receiving this support, then the management will have no alternative but to adopt methods that will bring about the necessary co-operation. The mine cannot be successfully carried on unless every employee stands up to the job. Mr W. Purdy, Secretary of the Grey 'Valley Miners’ Union stated that the draw for the cavils would take place this afternoon at two o’clock. Wallsend mine which has worked full time this week, the first for several months, will also get in the full number of shifts next week. The Liverpool and James mines will both be working, on Monday. The Superintendent (Mr. I. A. James) stated to-day, that present indications point to both mines working nearly full time, next week.

The co-operative mines, of which there are several in the Grey District, have of late, been working only half time, their orders having been reduced 50 per cent. The position has yet to improve with them, but information from a reliable source to-day, furnished the opinion that no great increase on present orders is expected until after March 31.